State Minister Joseph Harmon yesterday declined to say whether government has spoken to Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence about controversial statements she made recently at the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Region Four District Conference, while noting that it is up to the party to address the matter and take action if necessary.
During a post-Cabinet press briefing, Harmon was asked whether anyone from the government, inclusive of President David Granger, has spoken to Lawrence, who is the PNCR Chairperson, about her comments.
Lawrence, while addressing supporters at Congress Place on November 25th, suggested that party officials elected to public offices should show preference to fellow party members in hiring and in the award of contracts. She also insinuated that the party is aiming to bring persons looking a certain way into its folds. In a statement released on Thursday, Lawrence stood by her views on the issue of jobs and unemployment and did not address the specific comments in relation to hiring party members.
Harmon reiterated that he would not be commenting on matters which are within the realm of the party, which is the main constituent of APNU. He added that in this particular case, he is “sure that the party would review the statement that Minister Lawrence made and the explanation which she gave subsequently and if there is need for any further elaboration then the party will do so.”
In the one-hour long recording, which was made public, Lawrence can be heard telling attendees that they should not be afraid to give jobs or contracts to party comrades, while indicating that she does the same. “Well I got news for you: The only friends I got is PNC, so the only people I could give work to is PNC. And, right now, I looking for a doctor who can talk Spanish or Portuguese and ah want one that is PNC,” she is heard saying.
The presentation appeared to be a charge to those who have recently won seats or have been selected to serve on local government bodies following the November 12th local government polls.
They were also encouraged to serve with the same zeal with which they campaigned and remember that it was the party which put them in a position of power. “In the past we have had persons elected to represent the party or the coalition and when they get into office they say nobody didn’t put dem deh, dey put deyself… we have to hold these people accountable. If you can’t work for the party resign,” Lawrence said to thunderous applause.
“We like to assume that when we see someone looking a particular way, that they come from Robb Street but don’t assume that when you see someone looking like Comrade Sammy and Comrade Mahendra here, that they ain’t PNC. I come into the party and reach comrade Sammy. We got [to] bring more like them in. We want to win, we have to bring more of them in and they are here, they want to come in but some of us we so righteous and judgmental that the people can’t come in. Comrades, politics is a numbers game; there are many out there who didn’t enjoy the sweet of the PPP table and they see some good in us and our policies, such as social cohesion. The PPP is afraid of social cohesion but we must embrace it so we can take back the seat on the East Bank and East Coast,” she added.
Lawrence, in a subsequent statement, said that through the presentation she wished to “shed light on the issue of attracting support from non-traditional bases”
She has also indicated that she stands by her views that party members must educate and position themselves to be among the 20% of small contractors that will be afforded government contracts, and also that they must become bilingual as Guyana is fast becoming a haven for people from countries near and far. Further, Lawrence emphasised that if the coalition wants to remain in power after 2020, it must take better care of all Guyanese.
Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has since condemned her statements as an admission of discriminatory labour practices.
