Cabinet members promise to work for the people

The 20-member Cabinet team appointed by President Donald Ramotar on Monday have all promised to make their respective ministries as efficient and effective as possible so that all Guyanese can benefit.

Speaking to Guyana Times International after the appointment, Natural Resources and the Environment Minister Robert Persaud said having a new ministry is a challenge, but his ministry will focus on coordinating all natural resources, taking into consideration the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). His primary objective is to “coordinate all activities within the natural resources sector, be it mining, forestry, land and environment activity…as you know, given our LCDS thrust and also the rich natural resources, the president has decided that we needed to have a more coordinated approach.”

The former agriculture minister said harmonisation is key to sustainable development of all natural resources.

“My priority is in terms of looking at harmonisation of activities and ensuring that we have proper coordination of the various strands of the natural resources sector. It is also ensuring that we have reduced conflict between different users…Harmonisation of policy, but also looking at the different activities ensuring that they do not conflict with the others — ensuring that our environment is properly managed,” Persaud stated. He said he is up to the challenge, noting that it will indeed prove difficult.

Award of contracts

Bishop Juan Edghill, who was appointed minister within the Finance Ministry, said his thrust is to focus on all dissatisfied citizens who have expressed concerns about not being awarded contracts and projects at varying levels, noting that justice and fairness are key.

“I think I bring to the table a level of fairness and justice and a willingness to work with all the people of Guyana,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, new Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall said he has to become acquainted with the office he now holds, noting that one of the first things he intends to do is get a “status update on the justice improvement programme”. He said he is interested in knowing at which stage it is currently and what else can be done to improve the programme.

“More importantly, my ministry would be engaged in a lot of consultations with the Bar Association; with the business community; with all the stakeholders, including, of course, the opposition members of parliament, especially those that are lawyers so that every decision I make I would try, as hard as possible, to be as consensual as possible, because we need the cooperation of all involved to take the legal system forward.”

He acknowledged that there are many problems affecting the justice system, noting that those problems must be resolved in a speedy manner.

“There are a lot of problems in the system that we have to work out and we have to get it done. That is the important thing right now. There is an agenda which I would have to look at – everything would centre on improving the quality of justice which we are dispensing to our people. That is the bottom line!”

Nandlall was asked about his succeeding Charles Ramson SC as attorney general and legal affairs minister despite the fact that he was a senior counsel. “I feel humbled that I hold such an important position not being senior counsel, but you know that that has happened all over the world…” he stated, pointing to Trinidad and Tobago as an example.

Workers’ rights

Another newcomer, Labour Minister Dr Nanda Kishore Gopaul said he will be working towards ensuring that the rights of all workers across the board are protected.

“I will look at laws and legislation which are existing; there are modern laws, modern legislation and we are hoping that we would be able to police these laws to ensure that workers’ rights are protected and safe guarded.”

He stated, however, that it is not a case where the rights of workers are not currently protected but more needs to be done.

“Workers’ rights are protected under the existing laws; it is just that we have to work feverishly to ensure that all the areas of concerns are addressed and that people are happy at their places of work, be it in the sugar, bauxite [industries], wherever, they must feel a sense of security and a sense of belonging. We will work towards that.” Gopaul noted that “all matters which are outstanding we would like to settle; we would have all grievances resolved and we are going to work feverishly to ensure that grievances are resolved.”

From health to agriculture

Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy has committed to transforming the agriculture sector, noting that improving drainage and irrigation is a must. He said he has set up a meeting with all senior departmental heads with the aim of being briefed and he will also be visiting many of the factories while meeting farmers over the next few days.

“Clearly, we have to look at drainage and irrigation; it is a major problem if we are going to address agriculture. We have to look at more modern production methods in the country. I would be looking at all those things; it is going to be an exciting next five years for agriculture. I spent more than 10 years transforming health, and I would like now to make sure that by the time I leave this portfolio that the transformation of agriculture would have been quite advanced,” the former health minister said.

New Education Minister Priya Manickchand told this publication that she is keen on having talks with stakeholders within the education system so as to grasp an understanding of areas that need to be examined. She said, “Of course, I would really like to hear from people, parents, students, teachers about some of the things they might want to see in my term.”

Inspiring teachers to give their best, along with understanding root problems in the education sector, Manickchand said, will be her initial focus. “…the Education Ministry would have a whole host of people there who have intense experience, if we would match and mix those experiences with new ideas, then we have places to go.”

When asked whether she will miss her post as human services and social security minister she said, “It is not difficult to let go. I think Minister Webster will do a fantastic job. She is very interested in women’s issues.”

Now in his role

The elevation from minister within the ministry is a dream come true for Health Minister Dr Bheri Ramsarran. He told this publication that he is humbled by the fact the president has chosen him to be the new health minister after years of being a minister within that ministry.

“The Ministry of Health has done a lot of good things over the past few years; we have also invested heavily in infrastructure and training. One of my immediate tasks would be to see that the Guyanese people get more out of that investment, the return on the invested dollar. I am not always satisfied that we are getting the best out of that investment, so we need to tidy up on management of the massive investment in improved infrastructure and training.”

He stressed that having more trained personnel would ensure that a better quality of service is offered to the people of the country. “I am hoping to push the principle of equity of access. Principle of equity, value for dollar, quality services and, of course, we need to have clientele satisfaction. Not all the time do we deliver the services in the manner we should. This creates disgruntlement. This needs to change,” he stated. Ramsarran, who had been responsible for regional health services across the country, stated he hopes to improve health care across the board during his tenure as health minister.

Homeowner vision

Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali told this publication that he is pleased to be retained by President Ramotar, noting that his vision to have every Guyanese become the owner of a home is quickly becoming a reality.

Ali believes that focus needs to be placed on community planning and development so as to ensure that persons at the grassroots levels can become integrally involved, contributing to sustainable communities. Besides, Ali intends to expand his ministry’s public-private partnership while enhancing educational programmes aimed at sensitising first-time homeowners.

Meanwhile, Ali, who also has responsibility for the water sector, said improving the current billing system is critical in that area. “The billing system must be improved, we are also looking at ensuring more of the population has access to treated water and also work on integrated water resource management system and also expansion of water in the hinterland communities,” he stated.

All appointed ministers thanked President Ramotar for having confidence in their work and abilities to run effective and efficient ministries over the next five years.