Former Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr Roger Luncheon passed away during the early hours yesterday. He was 74 years old and had been ailing for some time.
As the news of his death flooded the internet, tributes began to pour in from individuals he would’ve fraternized with and whose lives he touched in some way during his lifetime. Among them were tributes from President Irfaan Ali, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, Attorney General Anil Nandlall, and others.
A longstanding senior member of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) who served as HPS during the Party’s previous administration in governance, Luncheon was described as a humble, intellectual, enduring, “son of the soil” by a number of his former colleagues.
In his tribute, President Ali said that Luncheon was an exceptional patriot and national icon who was fearless and selfless in his complete commitment to national development and defence of a free and democratic Guyana.
“It is a painful and deep-wounded loss for the Government and Party. He offered me unflinching support throughout my political career, both within the PPP and in public life. This man has shaped me in many ways and placed tremendous trust and confidence in me. Onward fearless warrior and pure nationalist, your work is done but, the product of your labour will live on forever,” the President’s Facebook post said.
In extending condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues, Jagdeo’s Facebook tribute noted that “Luncheon has left a rich legacy of true commitment to service, patriotism, and a deep sense of national pride and hard work for the people of Guyana”.
Nandlall said that Guyana has lost a national asset while the PPP/C has lost one of its most enduring and influential leaders. The Senior Counsel also added that Luncheon was a towering intellect, blessed with an unusual oratorial facility which won national acclaim.
During his service to the PPP/C government as Cabinet Secretary, Luncheon was a popular face on Guyanese television during newscasts, press conferences, and parliamentary meetings. He often took the position of spokesperson for the government, giving post-Cabinet press briefings, an activity which, became a staple for years.
“His capacity, tenacity and appetite for selfless public service in successive PPP/C Governments from 1992 to present is simply without compare. Intense bouts of illness failed to faze him. He remained a member of our Cabinet to the very end. During his protracted stint in Government, he yielded tremendous political power but was never overwhelmed by it.
“In my humble view, no accolade can commensurately reward the quality and magnitude of his contribution to nation-building and the people of this country,” Nandlall added in his social media post.
Luncheon was also praised by the Attorney General for being a mentor and an exemplar to many within the current ruling Party.
“His clarity of thought, mental agility and ability to assimilate and understand with amazing alacrity, complex issues in almost every field of human endeavour, including the law, were simply mesmerising. He was a medical doctor and a politician par excellence. I had the privilege of working with him but only for a few years. I learnt much,” Nandlall noted.
Aside from his political affiliations, Luncheon also touched the lives of some not immediately known to the public as is evident in some of the tributes addressed to him on Facebook. In one such tribute, coming from a Sheila Mathura, the former senior government official was described as a comrade, a big brother, a doctor, a mentor, and a stalwart who will be irreplaceable. She also wrote briefly of the times Luncheon was always there for her as a guide and protector.
“I will always remember him with warmth in my heart,” she said.
Luncheon, who was also a nephrologist and an acclaimed internist was a Queen’s College alumni. Apart from his involvement in politics under the PPP/C for over forty years, he also served on the Board of Management of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) as Chairman, for many years.
The Board of Directors, Management and Staff of NIS late yesterday issued a press release in which they extended their condolence to the Government and people of Guyana along with Luncheon’s family and friends.
“Our scheme has benefited tremendously from the wisdom and inputs of Dr. Luncheon during his tenure as Chairman of the NIS Board. He was one of Guyana’s true sons of the soil, a brilliant medical doctor, politician and communication specialist. May his soul rest in peace and his legacy be cherished,” the released stated.
In 2015 the former Cabinet Secretary announced that he was diagnosed with gastro-intestinal cancer for which he refused surgery. Despite his many ailments over the years and his decline in health in recent years, he was still a member of the PPP/C’s Cabinet and Executive Committee up until the time of his passing.
Luncheon became well known for his post-Cabinet press briefings which are no longer held. At these he constantly parried questions from reporters and was often elliptical in responses. Reporters were often left scratching their heads to parse his replies.
He was also a veritable wordsmith. He was credited with bringing into common use the words `phantom squad’ which had come to describe the unit behind the killings of persons in the aftermath of the 2002 Camp Street jailbreak. Another formulation attributed to him were the words `feral blast’ to describe the attack by then acting Foreign Minister Priya Manickchand against outgoing US Ambassador Brent Hardt at the US’s Independence Anniversary celebrations.
On March 7, 2017, Luncheon and other senior PPP officials were arrested by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) in relation to the probe into the Pradoville 2 Housing Scheme. Though having to get around with a walker, Luncheon was made to travel to the SOCU office to be interviewed.
Luncheon had been seen as a close confidant of both late former presidents Cheddi Jagan and Janet Jagan. It has also been suggested that he harboured aspirations to be considered for higher office.
