Former government Senator Lyndira Ouditt had three years and ample opportunity to make known her concerns with the People’s Partnership administration.
“She had every opportunity to create the change in the UNC in every regard. I respect her right to go where she wants but I am disappointed she did not use the opportunity to create reform. The party placed high confidence in her and gave her one of the highest positions,” said Minister of Local Government and Minister of Works Dr Surujrattan Rambachan in an interview yesterday.
Ouditt was a government Senator and vice-president of the Senate. Last Monday she resigned as a member of the United National Congress and by Saturday she was on the podium of the Independent Labour Party, led by Jack Warner, the recently reelected Chaguanas West Member of Parliament. Ouditt was presented as interim Deputy Political Leader of the party.
Rambachan was asked to comment on statements she made at the launch of the ILP’s campaign in Tunapuna on Saturday.
“She was saying what sounds palatable and acceptable to people. She had three years to say that within the party,” he said. Rambachan reminded that Ouditt was known for her loyalty to Warner and she “played true to form.” He said she was part of the slate who along with Warner vied for positions in the party’s internal elections. (She contested the Deputy Chairman post which was won by Khadijah Ameen in March 2012.)
Commenting on another issue, he said the draft white paper for Local Government Reform was prepared and before the Cabinet. It was prepared after consultations in the 14 Local Government bodies across the country. The draft contained “substantial recommendations” of what the public wanted. It dealt with the structure of Local Government, redefinition of the functions of Local Government, funding, recommendations for full-time councillors, and devolution of functions to Local Government. Legislation has to be prepared for Parliament and debated. Asked if the Bill would be tabled in the current parliamentary session, Rambachan said, “hopefully.”
He said with the Planning and Facilitation of Development Bill (to be tabled by the Minister of Planning Dr Bhoendradatt Tewarie), Local Government would be empowered to deal with simple plans for developing land.
“That will have implications for Local Government reform,” he said.
Ouditt was a government Senator and vice-president of the Senate. Last Monday she resigned as a member of the United National Congress and by Saturday she was on the podium of the Independent Labour Party, led by Jack Warner, the recently reelected Chaguanas West Member of Parliament. Ouditt was presented as interim Deputy Political Leader of the party.
Rambachan was asked to comment on statements she made at the launch of the ILP’s campaign in Tunapuna on Saturday.
“She was saying what sounds palatable and acceptable to people. She had three years to say that within the party,” he said. Rambachan reminded that Ouditt was known for her loyalty to Warner and she “played true to form.” He said she was part of the slate who along with Warner vied for positions in the party’s internal elections. (She contested the Deputy Chairman post which was won by Khadijah Ameen in March 2012.)
Commenting on another issue, he said the draft white paper for Local Government Reform was prepared and before the Cabinet. It was prepared after consultations in the 14 Local Government bodies across the country. The draft contained “substantial recommendations” of what the public wanted. It dealt with the structure of Local Government, redefinition of the functions of Local Government, funding, recommendations for full-time councillors, and devolution of functions to Local Government. Legislation has to be prepared for Parliament and debated. Asked if the Bill would be tabled in the current parliamentary session, Rambachan said, “hopefully.”
He said with the Planning and Facilitation of Development Bill (to be tabled by the Minister of Planning Dr Bhoendradatt Tewarie), Local Government would be empowered to deal with simple plans for developing land.
“That will have implications for Local Government reform,” he said.
