Interviews and photos
by Shabna Ullah
This week on What the People Say we asked persons about the no-confidence motion that the opposition is planning to move in Parliament against the government. Here are their responses:
Domingo Arnold, pork knocker,
‘I agree with the opposition to move the no-confidence motion because I think if the government is not doing its work then there should be a new election to put them out. I am from Moruca and we are just getting promises that they would do this and they would do that. They are just making things harder on the people. There are no jobs for the people. Right now I am looking for work and I can’t get. School expenses are high as well as prices for everything else. I think the government should provide jobs for the people.’
Looknauth, rice farmer,
‘If this government is working with its manifesto and is doing all it is supposed to do then I see no reason for the no-confidence motion. I have confidence in the government. Look at what used to happen in the 28 years before they took over; people used to line up for food and eat rice flour. I am 63 years of age and I can recall that when I planted rice and want bring it across to Parika to give my family half bag I had to get police pass. We don’t want to go back to those days. I like the improvement I am seeing like with health care, road, light, water and so much more. The government won the election free and fair and they are supposed to serve their five years. Why would they want a new election? Look at how the opposition is cutting the budget just because of a one-seat. The country can’t move forward like that.’
Ellen Austin, pensioner,
‘I think the opposition is right to have the no-confidence motion to move this government out from there. They killing us badly now so let them come out and go quick so we can have a change. We need good market, good light and water. We need more money too on our pensions. I don’t care who rule, regardless of which race or party, but we don’t want this government again. This government wasting tax payers’ money in the Rodney inquiry and it was no gun that killed him, it was an explosive device.’
Errol Roberts, fisherman,
‘I think the government should be allowed to rule because I don’t see what better the opposition can do for this country. I’ve seen a lot of changes in different villages and Amerindian communities. I see a lot of progress under this administration. I don’t see why they want to change this government and fighting up like that; they just want power. They are cutting the budget because they are trying to stall the country from moving forward. I don’t think that moving a no-confidence motion would help the country in any way. Look at how many parents benefitting from the $10,000 grant for their children. That would help a lot with the expense for the children.’
Hilda Ramdayal, domestic worker,
‘To me the government is doing a good job and I don’t see why the opposition should move a no-confidence motion. I am satisfied that the government is helping the school children because some parents are finding it difficult to make ends meet. First they gave the voucher and now the $10,000 and it is helping a lot. They also made a lot of progress around the country with so many things. We don’t have any problems in the country. To me they are just trying to cripple the country. The opposition should allow the government to serve its term. I don’t agree with the snap election.’
Mazie Lallchand, vendor,
‘I don’t really know much about the no-confidence motion; I don’t really follow it up. But I think that while the government needs to do more for the country, the opposition has to allow the party to serve its term so that it can continue the good work. They also need to work together and make decisions that can benefit everyone.’
Kwesi Nelson, barber,
‘Those who are wise enough to know what this government has done would be glad for a change for the betterment of this country. The future relies on the younger generation so what happen is that they deserve a better opportunity and a better standard of living. There are no job opportunities for the younger folks and most of them are just wayward. Their mindset is not there due to the crisis that they are going through. So I am glad if we can get a change of government and I definitely would agree with the confidence motion.’
Ramsook Ramcharran, businessman,
‘I cannot say much concerning what is taking place right now about the no-confidence motion. But if you check there is a rift between the opposition and the ruling party. They should come to an agreement because we don’t need fight and battle right now. They should be working together, not to satisfy themselves but the people who are at the bottom level. The government also needs to listen to the needs of the common people and address them because they are the ones who put them there. Everybody wants a better standard of living. As for the opposition, I don’t agree with the way they were cutting the budget because it throws a lot of things backward. They should allow the budget to pass and let the money be spent the way it should for the betterment of the people. You see, people are looking for development; they don’t want the fighting and this type of stagnation. At Charity, I follow the news in the newspapers. And I mean I only buy Stabroek [News] and I read it on a daily basis and I get good information.’
Leslie Griffith, vendor,
‘To me the whole opposition is sleeping. They are not representing us as they should. I have been living in Suriname for the past 15 years but I travel often to do business. I am almost 60 years of age and I am eligible for pension there. I was working in Guyana since before the start of the National Insurance Scheme. The system in this country is sick. My wife worked at GPL and she had an accident recently. They had us going and coming several times and the contributions were never right. They claimed that GPL did not pay but in fact the contributions were paid. When we checked back from 1998, every year five to 10 contributions were short. One of my associates used to work in the bauxite company for nine years and you know how much is the grant they give him? $3000! I am here since last year and imagine I needed an ID card and I was told that I have to wait until they were ready to issue. I eventually got it but I think they should have some systems in place for foreigners to get a renewal of ID card. I got mine since in the days of Burnham, a red ID card. I can’t understand what is going on. The loss is not for the masses, it’s for a privileged minority. Imagine a minister was involved in an accident and nothing comes out of it and then a man shot another several times and then rode out of court without a helmet. Then the town clerk is denying the mayor gasoline to carry out his daily functions. As far as I’m concerned, the opposition and the party in power just making this nation a fool because they are better off than all of us.’
Rita Fernandes, farmer,
‘The opposition is right to move the no-confidence motion because we need a little change. They should give the other parties a chance. Here at Jacklow, Pomeroon, we don’t have any major problems. Two years ago though, we suffered a lot of flooding and we would lose all our produce; lots of tangerine, oranges, bananas, plantains and cassava. All the other areas were getting canal. Finally the excavator is there right now digging and we are finally getting a canal. If we didn’t fight for it and keep running and spending money we would have never gotten it. When Cheddi was alive they promised us electricity and up to today we cannot get it. Now we hear they are giving out solar panel; 60,000 solar panels to the hinterland. What happened to Pomeroon people? All of us have to live. We don’t have current too. We use a generator and remember we have to buy gasoline and it’s very expensive. We need solar system too. When we look at the news we see only Amerindian people from other areas getting help.’
