GTUC notes the Minister of Health Dr. Bheri Ramsaran has been relieved of his portfolios by President Donald Ramotar and welcomes this move, though this came days after his abuse of Ms. Sherlina Nageer and only after public pressure from all quarters. Looking through the lens of the trade union being relieved from duties does not necessarily translate to being fired.
This is the first time President Ramotar has relieved a minister of duties and it only comes at a time when the PPP is desperately seeking every vote in society and women are considered a critical demographic. As such this must be seen for what it is, another cheap political exercise because Dr. Ramsaran will receive his salary for the month and retain access to all state privileges, inclusive of vehicles which taxpayers will continue to shoulder the burden.
To demonstrate that this is not another exercise in cheap politicking the President must now move to remove Dr. Ramsaran’s name from the List of Electors so that after the 11th May, whether the PPP wins or loose Dr. Ramsaran is not given another chance to enter the National Assembly as a representative of the people.
Guyanese must not be fooled by this political gimmick since the President has ignored public outcries on the wanton abuse and acts of threats by his other ministers, namely Attorney General Anil Nandlall who was made sexual statements about a female reporter and Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee despite the National Assembly vote of a no-confidence in his poor performance. If President Ramotar can relieve Dr. Ramsaran from duties he can relieve Mr. Jagdeo from behind him campaign with his crude and bovine behaviour that is creating division through fear mongering.
The minister who is overheard threatening to get women to strip Ms. Nageer suggests that the he, his government, or those whom he associates with could commit criminal acts against those whom they want to be silenced. This revelation certainly causes one to wonder how many times has this happened before where persons have been commissioned to commit acts of criminality to silence PPP dissenters. This nation can recount tales of hired mercenaries paid to commit atrocious acts.
Romatar and Jagdeo governments have been one of a culture of violence and fear and the nation must remember the president’s recent threat to an Amerindian public servant from Aishalton with a slap were Mr. Jagdeo present which is similar to that expressed by Dr. Ramsaran. Governance under their leadership has seen policies that condone violence which continue to be used to seek political mileage and divide the nation. The disbanding of the Military Crime Unit is another effort that their leadership see crime as functional.
