I was removed as Vice-Chair of 52-74 NDC works committee after complaining about substandard work, lack of consultations

Dear Editor,

The People’s Progressive Party is most vociferous in echoing cries of witch-hunting, victimization and abuse of power but what it has miserably failed to do is to address these same issues within the Party itself – how it treats its own members and how it treats others. These people are out of government but are still involved in these nefarious activities.

I have written a few letters to the press expressing my disgust and disappointment about the practices in Region 6 involving the Regional Vice Chairman, Mr Dennis Deoroop and the Engineer, Mr Roopesh Singh. I also wrote about the fact that

no consultations were done with the 5274 NDC. I gave examples of sub-standard work which was certified by the aforementioned Regional Officials and examples of areas which should have been in the Budget Proposal if any consultation was done.

Subsequently, about two weeks ago the contractor went and rectified the substandard work which I exposed in my letter. This was the 52 Middle Walk Road and the Massiah School Bridge. If I had not exposed this then nothing would have been done.

However, last week I became the target of the wrath of the Regional Vice Chairman, who is also the First Secretary of the PPP. He inspired a well-known PPP RDC Councillor to force the NDC Councillors to move a ‘no confidence’ motion at the statutory meeting of the PPP-dominated NDC to remove me as the Vice Chairman of the Works Committee. Unfortunately, the motion gained the favour of the ‘hog tied’ council and I was duly removed. It must be noted that after the ‘no consultation and corruption issue’ gained momentum in the Region, the Regional Vice Chairman went to all the PPP-controlled NDCs and got them to say that they were consulted. He reminded them that he was instrumental in getting them appointed. But he could not have gone to the Adventure/Hogstye NDC which is controlled by APNU+AFC although this NDC wrote about the nonconsultation process and the corruption in Region 6.

This is the main reason why I ran as an independent candidate in the Local Government Elections, I was aware that political considerations would normally influence and bypass important socioeconomic decisions. But I could not sit quietly and allow corrupt practices to decimate my community and my region. I have taken an oath to carry out my duties ‘without fear, ill-will or favour’ and I did just that.

What is alarming is that the PPP is even forcing its own members to resign from positions simply because they cannot be controlled or coerced to do their bidding, especially those of the Regional Vice Chairman. Recently, the Vice Chairperson, Lucille Ayana, of the Kilcoy/Hampshire NDC was embarrassed by the General Secretary of the PPP, Mr Clement Rohee into resigning from the post simply because she agreed with the Chairman and other NDC councillors that no consultation was done with that NDC. This woman was duly elected according to Chapter 28:02 with a majority of the NDC Councillors voting for her so it leaves me to wonder if the Freedom House decision is superior to the laws of this land. What is the former AG’s take on this matter?

It must be recalled that Mr Yusuf who is the Chairman of that NDC and a Regional Councillor was the first person to expose the lack of consultation in the formulation of the Regional 2017 Estimates so I am wondering how long more does he have? Will he be forced to resign? I am sure that some devious tactics are being hatched at this moment to get rid of him.

The PPP’s major problems are that they are averse to independent thinkers, they are ‘power crazy’ and are dictatorial. They see an independent mind as a threat to their status quo and that is the main reason why the PPP cannot move forward as a political party and their membership is dwindling rapidly. The main reason why the PPP is still vibrant is that they are capitalizing on the mistakes of this Coalition Government which needs to get its act together.

I do hope that independent thinkers can have a chance to flourish in this country. Yours faithfully, Lakeram Singh 52-74 NDC Councillor and Ex-Vice Chairman of Works Committee