Volda Lawrence apologises for ‘jobs for PNC people’ statement

Dec 04, 2018 News

Following a week of public criticisms, Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, yesterday offered an apology for her controversial statements of offering jobs to only People’s National Congress (PNC) people.
Lawrence was approached by reporters during the start of the debate on the 2019 Budget estimates at Parliament Building. She did not respond to questions, but pointed reporters to a statement posted on her official Facebook page.
“The rhetoric attributed to me over the last few days, is not reflective of who I am as a person or leader,” the statement noted.

Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence

Further, she stated, “I have learned that as a leader I must be cognizant of what I say and do, and must not allow emotions or political fervour to get in the way. So to all those whom I have offended in one way or another, I humbly apologize.”
The Minister indicated that over the last 30-plus years, she has given service to the people and Guyana.
“I have fought for my fellow countrymen and women known and unknown, irrespective of their class, creed or political affiliation. I have fought for freedom, equal rights and justice,” Lawrence stated.
Lawrence, the Chairperson of the PNC made the controversial comments while addressing the party’s Region Four District Conference at Congress Place on November 24.
“The only friends I got is PNC, so the only people I gon give wuk to is PNC and right now, I looking for a doctor who can talk Spanish or Portuguese and ah want one that is PNC,” Lawrence is quoted.
The Minister has not denied making the statements publicly and did not address the criticisms that she received because of the publication of her statements when she issued a previous statement.
President of Transparency International Guyana Inc (TIGI), Dr. Troy Thomas, who described Lawrence’s comments as very partisan, had told Kaieteur News that an apology would just be the start.
He felt that the Minister should go beyond an apology as the comments eroded public confidence in her ability to fairly administer the ministerial portfolio.
“If I were in that position, I would say she should discontinue, given her portfolio as a Minister. It would be rather difficult to ask people in the Ministry to have confidence in that whatever policy that they are working on would be unbiased,” Dr. Thomas noted.
Harmon on Friday declined to comment on Lawrence’s comments during his post-Cabinet media briefing.
Dr. Thomas said that the PNC, which is the largest party in the Coalition, needs to arrest Lawrence’s behaviour by first distancing the party from her comments and taking decisive action.
He said that the Party can’t expect to sweep the issue under the carpet.
According to Dr. Thomas, apologizing would be a good first step, but more is required because Lawrence is heading a Ministry.
Dr. Thomas noted that an apology would signal recognition that something is wrong and then the party has to be clear that the comments are not representative of what they stand for.
He believes that the issue will follow the party right into the 2020 elections.

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