The PPP is shooting itself in the foot

Jul 11, 2018 Letters

Editor,
In a previous letter I alluded to the PPP’s Bharrat Jagdeo/Presidential candidate dilemma. With that still to be resolved, the Party’s challenges seem to be mounting unnecessarily following the performance of some of its Members of Parliament (MPs) during a recent meeting with the Parliamentary Sectorial Committee on Natural Resources and ExxonMobil.
From what was reported, it appears that some on the PPP side were ill prepared to professionally and thoroughly engage the oil giant on burning issues within the public domain. This is evident from the type of questions reportedly asked with a focus more on perceived political involvement of the company.
While it is imperative to seek clarity on that, the overall outcome of that engagement remains a mystery, no fault of Exxon.
The woefully inept performance of MPs Neend Kumar and Pauline Sukhai, creates a very frightening picture for effective representation in the future if the PPP were to regain power. Both lack the depth of knowledge to effectively engage a company such as Exxon.
Ignorance must not be used as an excuse given that an MP worth his/her salt is expected to conduct proper research to embellish knowledge to allow for the asking of meaningful questions.
The blame for that unacceptable performance by those two elected officials must also be shared by the Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira. She, having been forewarned by General Secretary Jagdeo who publicly stated that related capacity was short, should have ensured that her MPs for that committee were fully prepared through engagement in a simulation exercise.
If preparations were done, then it either means that it completely missed the mark or the two MPs lack the capacity to assimilate what was imparted.
While I cannot confirm one way or the other, the performance reeks of a lack of preparation and knowledge in that field. Sending them in the first place knowing the ineptitude referred to by Jagdeo and doing apparently nothing to effect a better outcome, is a form of disrespect to the electorate especially PPP supporters.
What is the PPP going to do to increase its obvious and accepted lack of knowledge to deal with this formidable oil sector in the future? First and foremost must be the debarring of Need kumar and Sukhai until they can prove their competency.
If the Chief Whip did not envisage the need for preparation, then her competency comes into question from an administrative standpoint. Knowing her extensive knowledge on Parliamentary affairs, it becomes immensely disappointing if she didn’t insist on preparation.
If something as basic as that could not have been implemented, then to say that the PPP is shooting itself in the foot would be an understatement. The challenge for the PPP, which remains the hope of an increasing number of Guyanese, is to understand that the world is rapidly evolving and moving away from traditional means and must therefore adapt.
They must know the strengths and weaknesses of its MPs and be more prudent in assigning them to the important sectorial committees.
Haunting questions are; would it quickly come to this realization and would it be bold to reassign the Neend Kumars and the Sukhais? There is word of an alleged untouchable few in Freedom House in which both sit comfortably. Doing the right thing for Guyana by ensuring the best representation in parliament may be more daunting for the PPP than it appears. What comes first? A dilemma within another?
Rajendra Doodnauth
New Jersery
USA

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