Dear Editor
THERE is no question or doubt that the Honourable Minister of Public Telecommunications, Ms. Cathy Hughes’ explanation about alcoholic beverages being present in the National Assembly during its sittings has completely debunked what has definitely been proven to be another piece of political mischief by Bharrat Jagdeo, the leader of the Parliamentary Opposition.

Further, her even incisive information as to the mathematical breakdown on the spending of the $700, 000 for meals and snacks for the entire parliamentary sittings of MPs and support staff, has exposed both the corrupted mind of an opposition leader who continues on his daily diet of misleading the public as well as those sections of the media that should have sought clarification as to how such a sum is spent.

The question ought to be asked of the latter just what is the gain from such scurrilous reports that are clearly agenda-designed and certainly adds no merit to the desired quality of print journalism.

As alluded [to], this is very high mischief, another of Jagdeo’s desperate scraping of his dirty barrel, for muck to discredit an administration that has been engaged in daily efforts to rid this country of the executive lawlessness that had characterized this country during the period of the former People’s Progressive Party /Civic (PPP/C) government.

Editor, you must agree that it was rather surprising that the Leader of the Opposition would have waited so long into the coalition government’s tenure before bringing the allegation of imbibing alcohol among parliamentarians to the public’s attention, as well as seeking to convey the deceptive perception that such social practice appears to be prevalent only among the government’s side of the House.

Minister Hughes has been very clear in her account about the presence of such spirits in the House, underlining that it is present on what is understood to be special occasions, and at Christmas.

It is instructive also that her account has been supported by former Speaker of the National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran’s Sunday column, “Food and booze in Parliament” in Stabroek News of August 19, 2018, which paragraphs supported Hughes’ account, noting that such a drink “is also served at the MP’s expense when it’s a personal occasion such as a birthday”.

For Jagdeo to convey the impression that MPs imbibe daily during House sittings is another of his misleading birds that will not fly. For him to have been consuming the served meals and not know that other staff are catered for, or being aware of the costs entailed, and that food and snacks have to be served among the total staff per person, underlines another of his well- known acts of dishonesty.

It is time that the Leader of the Opposition considers the importance of his constitutional office and begin to properly earn his salary in honest service that gives value to the nation.

Regards
Earl Hamilton