ALLIANCE For Change (AFC) Vice-Chairman and Member of Parliament (MP), Moses Nagamootoo, received severe flak last night from Region Three representative and Government MP, Bibi Shaddick, over his “grass cutter” reference relative to the people of Leguan.
A native of Leguan, Shaddick decried this reference, making it clear that the people of Leguan are hardworking people.
During Minister Irfaan Ali’s contribution to the debates in the National Assembly on Monday night, while he was addressing the investments that benefit the people of Leguan in the area of job creation, Nagamootoo heckled, “Leguan people cutting grass. Whea the jobs deh!”
Minister Ali, in turn, demanded an apology, saying, “How dare you reduce the people of Leguan to people that cut cane? I demand that you offer a public apology.”
Ali’s call for a public apology was supported by Shaddick.
House Speaker Raphael Trotman interjected and said Members of Parliament (MPs) need to have a ‘thick skin’ because heckling is allowed during the Budget debates.
Last night, after Shaddick had addressed the issue, Nagamootoo declined to apologise, explaining that he should be given an apology because his words were misinterpreted and skewed in a “mischievous” manner.
A back-and-forth between the AFC MP and Shaddick saw the Speaker suggesting that the Hansard be consulted for clarification on the truth. However, Shaddick pointed out that Nagamootto’s comment was a ‘heckle’, an off-the-cuff remark that would not be included in the transcript of the debates.
The Government MP pointed out that coverage of the debates, which was also carried live by some sections of the media, evoked the ire of the people of Leguan at the remark, who are understandably annoyed at its demeaning reference.
Shaddick added that residents wrote messages to register their annoyance that same Monday night, and a letter substantiating the sentiments was penned by one Acklima Akbar and published on Tuesday.
Ms Shaddick said that ‘grass cutting’ is honest work, and the descendants of ‘grass cutters’ have, through Government’s support, been able to advance their economic status and improve their economic standing – all part of the current administration’s efforts to deliver a better life for all Guyanese.
In the 2014 Budget, $1B have been allocated to support Rural Enterprise Development, and it is expected that thousands of persons would benefit, either through employment obtained or from other linkages from enterprise incubation grants made under this facility. This is part of Government’s focus to encourage and promote more aggressively the emergence of entrepreneurial ventures in rural communities, with an emphasis on small businesses and labour intensive activities, the principal aim being creation of jobs for young people.
By Vanessa Narine
