Dear Editor,
My letter in Stabroek News and Kaieteur News of August 31 in which I described comments made by Mr Romel Roopnarine on his ‘Let’s Talk Essequibo‘ programme, as being one sided and misleading refers. (‘Romel Roopnarine’s programme mostly on Linden did not tell Essequibo viewers that three protestors had been shot dead by police.’) His response in SN of September 1, is equally or more misleading (‘Protestors elsewhere are frequently asked whether they think they will be better off…‘).
I never objected to and will never object to any Regional Chairman appearing on any programme regardless of who the host is. What I was concerned about is if any Regional Chairman is going to invite all the people who may have some sort of a problem regarding their contribution or benefits from the National Insurance Scheme, then we the taxpayers of the country will have to build an office ten times the size of the one that the Region 2 Chairman currently occupies.
I will never shift from that position, with all due respect to the Regional Chairman, Mr Parmanand Persaud, with whom I feel I share a good relationship. I also feel that he is not experienced and may not be qualified to be of major assistance to contributors, and those persons should be sent to the National Insurance Scheme‘s regional office which is a mere stone‘s throw away from the Chairman’s office.
Contrary to his belief that I am seeking attention, the truth is that I have been making a contribution to the letter columns of our daily papers long before I was elected to be a Regional Councillor representing the Alliance for Change, and I am proud to say that this is my second term.
At least Mr Roopnarine was honest in not disputing or rebutting my major concern which was that he did not mention on his programme which was so critical of the Linden protest and protesors, that three persons lost their lives and many others were seriously injured because the police fired indiscriminately, and that the combined opposition had condemned the illegal acts which occurred.
I am encouraged by the people on whose behalf I write, and will continue to write, and while I am not looking for praise and accolades, and it gives me great satisfaction that when my letters appear in our major dailies, the Stabroek News and Kaieteur News, drawing attention to the fact that the ultrasound machine at the Suddie Public Hospital is not in use because a technician is not available, a technician is then posted there much to everyone’s relief and joy three days after the publication of the letter. If Mr Roopnarine wants to describe that as seeking attention, the people will say if he is right or wrong.
I am not employed by the state on contract, or being paid close to four hundred thousand dollars per month to be the mouthpiece of any political party. Currently I am a pensioner and unemployed, but I still find the time and money to travel throughout the region listening to the people’s concerns and having them discussed at any forum, so they can be addressed.
Yours faithfully,
Archie W Cordis
AFC Councillor
Region Two
