By Abena Rockcliffe
Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton has flexed his muscles for what some believe is reprimand for Jermaine Figueira, who shook President Irfaan Ali’s hand last year knowing full well his leader is against such actions. Guyana Standard understands that while Figueira remains a Member of Parliament, he has lost his portfolio as Shadow Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport. His replacement, Nima Flue- Bess, will speak to this year’s Budget on matters relating to her new post.
Opposition Members of Parliament were made aware of Norton’s decision yesterday at a meeting. There has been a general reshuffle of shadow ministers but Figueira is the only one who was demoted.
In a letter to the Central Executive Committee, Figueira has asked for a review of Norton’s decision. He believes that his removal is unjust given all his efforts. As such, Figueira is also asking the Central Executive Committee to reverse the Norton’s decision if the majority of members also find his demotion unwarranted.
In his letter, Figueira pointed out that he continues to work tirelessly in his positions as Central Executive member; Chairman of the party’s strongest support base, Region Ten; a Member of Parliament; and Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of the National Assembly.
He noted too that he has justly represented his parliamentary portfolio. “I, like some, have been most visible in our engagements with the people as well as both orally and with my writings in the press and various social media platforms, bringing representation to my portifolio, issues of national importance, and my commitment to good governance and fairness throughout this nation. These have amply been recorded.”
Figueira also drew attention to his work done in Region 10.
Here is an extract below:
“… monthly, and without fail, I embrace and feed the elderly. My organization’s economic projects to empower mostly, single parent women in business, saw my team and I providing equipment to aid their businesses and provided financial grants totaling 1.6 million dollars to four families to start up poultry, pig rearing and plant seedling businesses. Additionally, through my organization that I represent with many philanthropic efforts, were able to bring much needed resource materials and emotional relief to thousands in my work, educational, social and political.
The support given to sports organizations with the promotion of football basketball, cricket and athletics along with the provision of sports gears and footwear has been constant even not always highlighted.
The promotion of cultural events for Easter along with the distribution of hundred of kites in the respective communities and emancipation August first “freedom fest” promotion, free of cost for our people to socialize and make money from free booths provided brings much needed help to them.
These actions, and more, bolsters and buttresses the efforts of our great party because for all these efforts, the party gets the praise directly and indirectly.
Just December 2023, several days ago, my team consisting of regional councilors and others distributed in excess of 5000 toys, several hundred footwear and bicycles to thousands of children from Region ten’s constituency. The General Secretary, and several other executive members, who were present, can attest.
The party leader says my doings are not political work, its social work. Wow! Addressing the needs of people is not political work? Ok!
My interventions at the government level has brought relief to many. For example, I would have engaged both Ministers of Public Works when the Region’s budgetary allocations didn’t cater for several roads to be done in some communities, for it to be done and it was.
Additionally, I would have spoken to the Ministers of Housing and have taken it further by writing directly to the President several months ago, bringing to his attention the dire need for several communities birthed out of squatting which the coalition government started to address, for thousands of people to get titles to the lands on which they have built their homes and living for many years with out ownership of the land. He has publicly committed to addressing this need and I have begun to engaged those communities residents to expect this benefit from my representations for them as I’m suppose to do as their representative.
Many of the small contractors in Region Ten, I would have assisted in them being compliant and made representation for them to gain contracts and some have, added to that, families having access to cash grants, public assistance, health assistance for cancer and dialysis patients and residents children gaining scholarships among other levels of representation, I have successfully made for the people of my Region without making it public.
These are actions and levels of representations I have been able to make and acquire from the government, who is the custodian of the people’s resources, despite the many challenges.”
In the letter, Figueira puts forward the possibility that he is being punished for shaking the President’s hand.
He said, “I shook the man’s hand that was extended towards me. I did it because it’s the sensible and courteous thing to do.”
