Dear Editor,
More and more, we are witnessing the “do as I please” attitude from a certain egotistical minister who feels that he is there to please himself. Now that his feet have touched the ground the need to be accountable and transparent has become irrelevant, but who permits this to happen? It is our Parliament that is packed with amateurs who are unwilling to become scholars. This unfortunate situation is the reason why they could never demand proper and effective representation from their colleagues in the Council of Ministers!
Look at the fiasco that took place in Parliament about a week ago between a group of unprepared parliamentarians and a minister whose hobby is to conceal the truth. The meeting was a complete waste of financial reserve; a sample of habitual episodes that have become mind-numbing and questionable at the same time. How long will the people accept this mediocre performance from Members of Parliament? Likewise, how long will Parliament tolerate a minister who is reluctant to provide the people with integral and candid information that relates to his ministry?
Imagine Health Minister Emil Lee came into Parliament to clarify some pending concerns about the new hospital. Instead of being true to the people he found every excuse in the book to circumvent the truth by announcing that there is a confidential clause that prevents him from revealing the exact amount of the settlement. The Minister must be reminded that when a contract is presented it is either accepted or rejected. Moreover, whose business does the Minister manages? Is it his or the People’s? This is why Holland is like a threatening axe because of the consistent dishonesty among several members of government.
Every presentation of this Minister has become questionable now because shortly after he became a part (by chance) of this 10-seat majority his true character started to surface, but the legendary Maya Angelo describes this kind of behaviour so well. She declares: “When people show you who they are, believe them." Too many persons are hung up on the Minister’s initial approach towards the handling of his portfolio. If one examines his conduct very closely it is crystal clear that this was just the bait to hook the population into trusting him.
This is why the majority of MPs doze off whenever the Minister sings his lullaby because they don’t have the intellectual capacity to detect a slippery politician nor the guts to cross party lines and demand proficient representation for the people. It was so amazing to listen to the two obsolete members of National Alliance, who were a complete failure in the then Nederland Antilles. In the same breath, Chairlady Sarah Wescot-Williams mishandled the proceedings when she failed to participate actively in this vital discussion.
It does not matter if her party supports the Minister in question. The Chair must remain impartial, which includes giving an unbiased contribution towards this settlement. Just a year ago when UP was in government the Chairlady switched her position with the first Vice-Chair and riddled the UP government with questions that pertained to the same hospital. Why is it different now? This is the why MP Frans Richardson refused to work with the Minister from the beginning. And, it was also plain to see the hypocrisy of MPs who supported the Minister, but failed to form a quorum for the conclusion of the discussion.
Furthermore, why does government consistently settles for these kinds of agreements? For far too long the people are being forced to bear the burden of politician’s negligence. Up to this present moment no one has truly informed this public of the reason why the Government Building stood unoccupied for years and who is responsible. Not too long ago the Harbour took a similar course of action and now it’s another tango with this bidding company. Who is benefiting from all these projects that are going belly up all the time and when will this irresponsible behaviour cease? The population is fed up and government needs to quit testing the temperament of this community!
Minister Emil Lee feels that he is untouchable because he has the backing of the President of Parliament and a few self-interested people within the community, but if the MPs would take a moment to compile his actions in chronological order they would realize that the Minister is not working in the interest of the people. There is a hidden agenda behind his unstable behaviour.
Who vex could stay vex, but parliamentarians must remember the famous quote that says: “Your belief does not make you a better person, your behaviour does.” If Minister Emil Lee is refusing to answer to the representatives of the people, then it is time to give him a vote of no confidence and get rid of him!
Joslyn Morton
