Dear Editor,
According to the findings of the NACTA opinion poll conducted in July, people are most impressed with the performance of Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud while Robeson Benn is disliked the most. This was one of several findings of a comprehensive NACTA poll of likely voters that represented the demographic composition of the population. NACTA is a New York-based entity founded by several Caribbean educators with no political affiliation. It has been conducting opinion surveys regularly in the Caribbean, the most recent being the July local government elections in Trinidad where the poll’s findings mirrored the outcome of the elections in every aspect.
July’s Guyana survey was undertaken to find out the nation’s views on a wide range of issues including how people view their ministers. The poll, co-ordinated by Vishnu Bisram, a teacher, political analyst, and newspaper columnist in NY, has a statistical sampling error of plus or minus three percentage points.
According to the findings of the survey, Robert Persaud is rated as the most impressive minister of government, getting the nod of 21% of the public because of his work ethic and performance. He is followed by Health Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy with 17%, Human Services Minister Priya Manikchand with 15%, and the others trailing them. Almost every voter complains about Works Minister Robeson Benn because of his activist programme of breaking down peoples’ structures (some possibly illegally constructed). He is the most disliked minister in Guyana. PPP supporters say President Jagdeo needs to straighten out Benn if the party wants their vote.
Separately, leader of the Justice For All Party, CN Sharma, is considered the most liked political figure in the opposition. Almost everyone who has access to the CNS TV channel says they love to watch Sharma as host of the Voice of the People programme.
Who would you describe as the most impressive minister of government?
Minister %
The most disliked Minister is Robeson Benn.
Yours faithfully,
Vishnu Bisram
