The PPP turned the National Day of Villages into a party rally

Dec 06, 2016 Letters

Dear Editor,
On Sunday 13th November 2016, there was an event that was held at Bath Community Centre Ground under the brand “BATH VILLAGE DAY”. I was made to understand that this event was done so as to celebrate National Day of Villages, which was observed the previous week. I was told that the Bath Village Day was organised and promoted by the Bath\Woodley Park NDC. I must applaud the NDC if this is so, for organising such an event and also for adhering to the call by His Excellency President Granger for all to celebrate the first National Day of Villages.
One would have expected that this event was arranged so as to bring the people of Bath together in celebration, no matter their political affiliations. But to my surprise during the late hours of the evening, the occasion became a political one. The PPP supervisor at Bath branch of Freedom House, Mr. Jaffarally and the NDC Vice Chairman Mr. Seulall took the platform and entertained the audience with political speeches and slangs.
The political slangs against the government were very disturbing and nasty. I would have expected better from Jaffarally who was a former MP for the PPP. Mr. Jaffarally should be ashamed to use some of the words he mentioned on the microphone; it was loud and clear. How can the PPP supporters in Region 5 allow this man to disgrace them in such a manner? He even went on to label some of the people of Bath using unpleasant language because they voted for the APNU+AFC. This man is very disrespectful to the people of Bath at what was a public event.
It amazes me also when the NDC Vice Chairman told the spectators that the APNU+AFC is hampering development and he will continue to stand up for their rights. Well this man needs to watch what he is saying. This is the same man along with the other NDC officials that formed a Management Committee for the Bath Committee Centre and placed himself as the chair of such, without the people of Bath giving approval. At no time does the NDC have a right to form such a committee without the general involvement of the people in the community. The PPP did this on several occasions and all the MCs failed.
It is surprising that the NDC could have allowed those men to use this event for political mileage. Mr. Jafarally plays no role within the NDC. Therefore, he has no right to dictate what should or must happen within that or any NDC in Region 5. I don’t care if the NDC is governed by PPP; he has no right to intervene in the work or programs of the NDC. I will like to publicly bring to the attention of the NDC, that I am residing within that NDC and I have the right to ask for accountability especially for those public events held by the NDC. Also for accountability on the amount of revenues collected from rentals of the said ground since the LGE earlier in the year.
It is surprising that the NDC allowed this event to become a political one. Moreover some serious questions need to be asked, such as; where are the funds generated from for this event? Who are the donors that gave to the event? Whose event was it (a PPP or NDC)? If it was a PPP event, did they pay for the usage of the ground? Why did it become a political event? What will be the use of the funds generated or what will the funds go towards? This NDC is failing the people that it represents every day. They are more political serving, than serving the people they represent. This NDC seems to forget that they have a task to ensure that the community is clean and enhanced, rather than to get into political work of the PPP. The Hon. Minister of Communities needs to investigate the works of this NDC and to ensure that the NDC’s mandate is being carried out without fear or favor.
Abel Seetaram
Regional Councilor
APNU+AFC Region 5