PNP complains about government's handling of hurricane relief efforts

 

Against the backdrop of apparent tension between the government and the parliamentary opposition, Opposition Leader Mark Golding has stressed that the People's National Party (PNP) has no intention of sowing division or deepening any rift at a time when the country is crippled in the wake of Hurricane Melissa. 

 

Mr. Golding says, however, the PNP cannot be silent in the face of what he views as weak transparency, growing social dislocation, political bias and a flawed response system. 

 

He said the opposition has been playing its part in reporting inequitable treatment. However, a response from the government has not been forthcoming. 

 

"We have heard numerous reports that political representatives of the governing party are being used to distribute government relief, taxpayer funded or donor funded through the government relief in ways which they have no legal or political standing constitutionally to play that role. I have been bringing these incidents as I hear of them. I have been bringing them to the attention of the Prime Minister through WhatsApp. He has not responded to me at all since last week, the Saturday before last, 10 days ago. So when the Minister of Information says that we have been communicating constantly, that is simply untrue and certainly coming in my direction," Mr. Golding contended. 

 

He further argued that the parliamentary opposition is being excluded from key processes in the national response. 

 

"And if we want people to feel that the response is equitable, is well-designed, and is without political bias, it is important that critical stakeholders be at the table. And the opposition, with 28 seats in the Parliament, should be part of that process.  We are willing to serve, but we are currently being excluded. All of the committees that have been established under the Cabinet, including the private sector committees and so on, the opposition is not present on any of those committees. We will play our part if we are allowed to do so, but we bemoan the misinformation being fed about the role we're playing," said the Opposition Leader.