Cannot be another day, another fire, ministers and others must go

Jun 08, 2023 Letters

Dear Editor,

Now that the cash grant will get all the focus and soon, we will forget Mahdia, it would be remiss of me in this entire sad ordeal not to join with the others and call for a cabinet reshuffling.

This nation had enough of Mr. Dharamlall. It is clear that he is a sacred cow. From the many transgressions, now to a clear dereliction of duty, this minister, his REO and others must go.

This nation is still hurt and the only justice for those 20 students is holding those who are responsible for systems accountable. We cannot have it as another day, another fire.

The nation had enough of these Ministries managed in a very incompetent manner. While generally, the PPP/C is scared to shuffle the Ministers, the time has come for it to take stock.

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

No amount of flowery language from this subject Minister can hide the incompetence of performance. As Minister, who spends a lot of time on Facebook always reacting, or blasting APNU+AFC will not distract the nation from her performance. Under her watch, fires took place at Chase Academy, North Ruimveldt Secondary, Mabaruma Secondary, St. George’s High, Church Christ Secondary and Mahdia dormitory. While she bears no direct blame, in management, the buck stops at the Minister’s office. Year after year, she presents budgets for her Ministry and then goes on in a theatrical manner to berate APNU+AFC, but fails to bring forth any recommendations that address the unprecedented occurrence of fires. Clearly, the system she supervises suffers a breakdown. As such, the nation needs to know.

How often is fire drill done?
How many fire extinguishers are working in schools?
What system is in place to prevent students from accessing inflammable items?
How many schools have smoke alarms?
How many schools have automatic sprinklers?
What is the ratio of house parent supervision per student?
How many security guards were on duty on the night of the incident?

The issue at Mahdia leaves more questions than answers. What is clear is that the Minister has lost control of her ministry and therefore needs to do the honourable thing. The ‘feral blast’ Minister needs to go. Under her watch, teachers were attacked, students – teachers relations worsened, compensation for teachers remain poor, working conditions are atrocious, and teachers have to still continue take money out of their pockets for teaching aids. It seems that there’s no end to this. The Ministry of Education is an important ministry since it molds our nation’s children and as such, at times proper care for all must be a priority. It was not one act but several fires that came after and after. The ministry led by a minister clearly reminds clueless on matters of children safety and wellbeing. The ministry needs a minister who can adequately manage this sector.

MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

The list piles up for this ministry. From the Mae scandal to the gross incompetence in firefighting and crime management. Someone has to take the blame. It has to be the minister. Many fires, the story remains the same. Yet annually, this minister brings no innovation to the floor to embrace modern crime and firefighting approaches. Road accidents are at an all-time high, yet no positive reinforcement strategy is anywhere near, only traditional, out dated punitive solutions exists. It’s time for a new minister.

MINISTRY OF LABOUR

With an increase of construction, the likelihood of accidents is possible. An entire ministry that is empowered to look after safety at the workplace simply is unable to do so. Only recent, a construction worker died from a building. What protocols are there to prevent this? What penalties are employers enduring for failing to comply? Many workplaces lack the basics, yet as a whole in this ministry, these are not addressed. Another failure. What recommendations is he making to make safety a priority? Nothing!

These ministers should do the honourable to President Ali. The list goes on and on.

Regards,

A. Singh

A. Singh, Dharamlall, fire, Mahdia, Ministers

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