PPP General Secretary Donald Ramotar’s recent presence at Cabinet outreaches and engagements by the President and government officials is indicative of the role the ruling party plays in the administration of the country, Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon says.
Questioned yesterday at a press conference about Ramotar’s presence, Luncheon said: “Donald Ramotar’s presence is reflective of the PPP/C’s role in the administration of this country.” He said that Ramotar, as the General Secretary of the party, continues to contribute “ideologically, programmatically and operationally.” He said that based on this, “a place at the head table” is assured for him as well as “a role to play in the engagement of the government and the Guyanese people.”
When asked who funded the General Secretary’s trips, Luncheon said that public funds were not used for this purposed. “Well… I’m not certain that there is a financial cost that is incurred by Donald Ramotar’s presence at outreaches. Fortunately, we don’t have this resolve to use public funds willy-nilly,” he said. Luncheon added, “these outreaches and our connections with those communities draw heavily on support at the community levels hosting the events and the arrangements for participation.”
Ramotar, who has publicly indicated an interest in becoming the PPP’s Presidential Candidate for next year’s election, has accompanied President Bharrat Jagdeo on several of his overseas trips and even participated in recent Cabinet outreaches by the government despite not being a member of Cabinet. On Wednesday, he accompanied Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud on a visit to Siriki, in the Pomeroon River, where a project to unveil 4,500 acres of farm lands was announced.
Political analysts have suggested that Ramotar’s public appearances may be an indicator that he is the person favoured to be the party’s presidential candidate going into the general elections. Aside from Ramotar, in recent months, Speaker of the National Assembly Ralph Ramkarran, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee and MP Moses Nagamootoo have already indicated their willingness to head the PPP slate next year. Jagdeo is ineligible to seek re-election because of a constitutional term-limit.
Meanwhile, Dr Luncheon announced yesterday that Cabinet is planning another outreach today in Region 5, where over 20 communities will be visited, Luncheon said. According to him, “the activities will climax” at Bath, where President Jagdeo will be addressing residents of the region.
