Rice farmers angry Seeraj overlooked for Agriculture Minister  

Dear Editor,

A change in government was needed and it has been achieved. I applaud the contributions of all who helped made this possible. Those who played critically important roles in the change of government must be recognised and honored with positions that fit into their field of competence.

Without Charandass Persaud vote in the no confidence motion of December 21, 2018, elections would have been held the earliest in August 2020. And the outcome may well have been different than what currently obtains. So I wish to convey the gratitude of the Guyanese people for the conscience vote of Mr. Charandass that brought down a government that had lost its way. It was a heroic act which would forever be etched in history as it was the first time that a government was brought down by a democratic vote in parliament.

Charandass has a role in our politics and development of the nation. He is a lawyer. He had a successful practice before he was forced to leave Guyana because of threats to his life. He spoke out against corruption. I recommend him as legal advisor to the Police Force to assist in cracking down on corruption.

Mr. Peter Ramsaroop assisted with providing security cover for Charandass. He also played a role in the election campaign, voting day activities, the count and the recount exercise. He is a former soldier. A role should be assigned to him in the security sector perhaps to revamp the military and para-military forces.

Dharamkumar Seeraj assisted in the protection of the ballot boxes from March 2 thru the recount in early June to prevent vote tampering and skullduggery. He was present almost every evening at Gecom as one of guards. He is a leading specialist in agriculture, drainage and irrigation. He should be appointed in the Agriculture Ministry as a Junior Minister to assist Zulfikar Mustapha.

There is an avalanche of protests on social media as well as one the ground against the non-appointment of stalwarts. General Secretary Jagdeo should interact with rice farmers to find out how angry they are that Seeraj has been excluded from the cabinet. Seeraj has the skill to turn around the industry. The outcry non-appointment of Seeraj must be brought to an immediate end. He is qualified for agriculture and is most deserving having championed the cause of farmers and played a very prominent role against electoral fraud. He has been a stalwart in the PPP. He has worked with all foreign and local organizations pertaining to the rice sector. He is exceptionally qualified for the minimum position of Junior Minister.

Others also played important roles on the ground, in the media, and internationally in the battle for free and fair elections, the election campaign, and the count and recount exercise. Kaieteur News, for example, and other papers, as well as some writers who were in the papers almost daily, must also be recognized for their contributions.

Yours truly,
Boysie Mangru