FIE! That is my word for Moses Nagamootoo for disparaging the people of Leguan. The Alliance For Change (AFC) Vice-Chairman and Member of Parliament (MP) has shown a side of himself that clearly reveals the kind of person he is. He comes over as uncaring, insensitive and cruel in referring to the people of Leguan as “grass cutters”, and therefore he is not deserving of anything substantial from the PPP/C.I have a few words for the likes of Moses Nagamootoo. First, let me say that I do empathise with the people of Leguan, and I like the response from Region Three’s representative and Government MP, Bibi Shaddick, over this “grass cutter” reference. She has her roots in Leguan, and in her expressed sentiments, she epitomises how the people felt stung and angered by this utter foolishness from the AFC second-in-charge. She is right when she spoke out against Nagamootoo, deeming what he said as most disrespectful.
Let me say that Leguan is not what it used to be. Testimony to this can be sensed by just going on a boat to visit the island; the commute is not what it used to be. I have gone to Leguan many times, and I see hardworking and honest people. Even though they are ‘citified’, and by choice, too, they manifest the spirit of the typical hardworking and proud Guyanese people. My family tree goes back to Mahaicony, and we have always been quite similar to the Leguan community: Hardworking, honest, and a great steward of the land, so I guess, to this AFC man, we are also mere ‘grass cutters’.
I point out here, too, that in terms of being polished in speech and classy, Nagamootoo falls very short. He appears quite unkempt, and he assaults basic English pronunciations. He should bear this in mind when he seeks again to put people down.
The fact that Minister Irfaan Ali and Government MP, Bibi Shaddick are most peeved, and are calling for an apology and a retraction is evidence of how deep the remark cuts. It is tantamount to a racial slur or mockery of a disabled person.
What is also very troubling is how the Speaker of the House handled the situation. He seems to be almost endorsing this kind of uncultured and insensitive behaviour. The man is desecrating his office, and he is also appearing very slanted. He chided and banned Minister Priya Manickchand, but in the Nagamootoo matter, he said that “Members of Parliament (MPs) need to have ‘a thick skin’, because heckling is allowed during the Budget debates.”
It will do him good if he can read up on what the word ‘heckling’ means; he has given it a whole new meaning. Maybe the Speaker should ask Nagamootoo if he is still peeved that he was sidelined for the presidency, and if he is still hurting by the way A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) treated him when he was hoping to become Speaker of the House.
I’d like to remind readers that the 2014 Budget is advocating for $1B to support Rural Enterprise Development, and this shows great concern for the people. Look how far the Amerindians have come with this same kind of thinking. The idea is that places like Leguan will benefit from enterprise incubation grants, made under this provision. This mindset has always been a part of Government’s effort “to encourage and promote more aggressively the emergence of entrepreneurial ventures in rural communities…” This is what development is all about, and it is the way forward when we think of jobs for the young people of Guyana.
I doubt if Mr. Nagamootoo can ever show his face in a place like Leguan again. I just wish that the people had the time to come down to Georgetown and protest strongly against him.
LAIKHRAM SINGH