The major issue of corruption in Government will have to be defended by the ruling People’s Partnership administration during campaigning for the upcoming general election. That’s the view of MP for St Joseph Terrence Deyalsingh who explained that the issue has now been reversed from the PNM which lost the 2010 election on allegations of corruption.
He said the PP Government and individual ministers will now have to answer during the hustings in 2015. Deyalsingh also raised the alleged participation of South Africa in the negotiations for the contract on the controversial San Fernando to Point Fortin Highway and called for it to be investigated.
Q: Mr Deyalsingh, you have been in office for almost one year, which is sufficient time for you to settle down to the task as MP for St Joseph, what is the major headache in this constituency?
A: (Clearing his throat at the Mt Lambert branch of his constituency offices Tuesday morning) The major problem I have encountered is the constituents’ inability to deal with the utility companies. These utilities are not responding adequately, WASA and T&TEC, especially WASA.
Isn’t it correct to say, Mr MP, that St Joseph is not unique in that experience?
It is possible…I do not know about the other 40 constituencies in T&T but speaking to my constituents, I can tell you that for the past year, I have found myself dealing with these issues. I must say though, once I intervened we got results—whether it had to do with water supplies or fixing back roads after WASA dug up affected areas. I always find myself intervening to get WASA to restore the roads to their former passable condition.
And you enjoy it when that happens?
Yeah, I enjoy that (a hearty laugh, rocking back in his chair).
I mean, the more they repair the roads the more your political stocks go up?
(Another big laugh) Well...but I don’t do it for my political stocks to go up because it is about service.
Serving the people?
Service. Serving the people...does that remind you of anything? Serve the people, serve the people...(Politely ignoring the question with a bright smirk) I think whatever we do as MPs, or more precisely parliamentary representatives, is no different than any other occupation where people dedicate their lives in the service of the people. We are all servants of the people in our respective fields.
Other problems?
Housing is a major challenge as there isn’t a sufficient distribution of units, but I see recently where the minister (Roodal Moonilal) is saying 10,000 houses are going to be distributed. But Government had four years to distribute these in an equitable fashion, and I look forward to all my applicants getting a fair share.
How many have you applied for?
Well, we have submitted. I will rejoice if some of these very needy cases do receive housing. Up to today, I saw about six people for housing so there is really a critical need. I look forward to my constituents benefitting in this regard.
Ok. You won the St Joseph by-election taking away this seat which was held by the PP administration, do you feel accepted by the government members in the Parliament?
Acceptance might be a very strong word, and I think they respect the fact that I am a member of the House of Representatives. I have to work with them and they have to work with me, so there is no animosity.
I am sure they will prefer if I wasn’t here (a tongue-in-cheek chuckle) and the fact is, I am here.
What about unemployment?
Yeah. That is an issue which is across the board. So what we have done, we sent about 300 young people to the different training programmes and what I have found surprising is that people are not fully aware of the opportunities that exist. I see myself now as a virtual broker matching opportunity with labour demands.
And consequently, we have been able to positively impact about 300 people finding them jobs, getting them trained or retrained, that of course does not mean I have solved the unemployment problem in St Joseph.
Does that mean the Government messages are not reaching these people in an effective manner because Government has not been publicising these programmes?
I think what has happened is this, those people do not get their information from the same traditional avenue and they are now turning to social media. Once you do not advertise or promote goods on the media they use, that to me is the biggest gap between matching opportunity with labour supply. Mass media is not doing it again and we have to come to grips with that, and that is why you have Guardian Media services and their online facilities.
Very well, let’s turn to some hard politics now…
(Bursts out laughing) I was wondering when you would get there, Clevon. Come on, hit me.
The PNM has somewhat stolen a march on the PP administration in the context of selecting candidates for the 2015 general election?
That’s right. And you may very well ask what we are seeking to get out of this move at this time...simple, the positives are we are now placing candidates who have been screened by arms of the PNM who have the necessary skills and qualifications. So we are being very proactive and setting the agenda for the national community, and it has responded quite favourable to that exercise.
How is this manifested?
In the way these candidates are now interacting in their respective communities, and constituents are happy to see a potential MP understanding the issues long before the general election is called and in doing so, bringing a certain amount of relief. For example, Clarence Rambharat is doing a lot of good work in Mayaro with the recent flooding on the ground and not only for political gains, but for bringing relief as I have just mentioned.
So you do admit there is an element of political opportunism?
We are in politics and we are making every opportunity to serve, to position ourselves as the next government, and what he is doing in Mayaro is to be lauded.
Ok. What are the negatives of jumping out the starting box before the race has officially started?
(Finger on lips, glancing at the ceiling pondering the question) I don’t see any negative because we know that election must be held in a certain time frame, so we’re going to set the pace.
There is some disagreement with your political leader and the Government over the exact period to call the election and on this matter, the Attorney General has sternly criticised Dr Rowley for his stand on this issue?
I will agree with my political leader on his analysis of the issue—any election date past May 25 will be viewed by the population very negatively. I don’t expect the AG to support Dr Rowley, and the People’s National Movement will fight election any date that it is constitutionally due, and we are going to contest all 41 seats, regardless. You know that, Mr Raphael.
The PNM, Mr Deyalsingh, lost the last general election for a number of reasons, the main one being alleged corruption. How much of an issue will corruption be in the upcoming polls?
The corruption charges for next year’s general election as part of the campaign will have very little to do with the PNM as that was decided in 2010. Now you have allegations between 2010 and 2015 involving junior minister Stacy Roopnarine and Minister Dr Suruj Rambachan; claims and counter claims have been made, she retracted.
You had Section 34 and Minister Volney has taken the fall for it, etc. (He rattled off several more corruption allegations). And the contract for the San Fernando to Point Fortin Highway, where was that negotiated, Mr Raphael?
Wasn’t this signed when the PNM was in office up to 2010?
No. No. No. (Energetically gesticulating) The contract with the OAS, where and when was it done? Has anything been negotiated in South Africa, Mr Raphael, with that highway? You investigate that, Mr Raphael.
Oh, so you are now sending me to do some homework?
Yes. You investigate the South African connection with the Point Fortin Highway. So yes, corruption is going to be a big issue, but it is going to be corruption involving the incumbent Government and individual ministers.
This Government has had four years so far to prosecute anybody on the issue of corruption with supporting evidence to back their action, but how many, Mr Raphael, has been brought before the courts?