Sharma’s turnaround on Mosquito Creek

THE EDITOR: Please permit me to respond to an article published in a daily newspaper on Friday, November 28, 2003 entitled “Sharma wants action on Mosquito Creek.”

It is absolutely amazing that at this point in his twelve years of tenure as MP for Fyzabad, the Honourable Chandresh Sharma has suddenly seen the light, and is now predicting the following:
(1) Millions of dollars in unnecessary infrastructural damage along the Mosquito Creek’s roadway and retaining wall.
(2) Loss of the Shanti Teerath, the cremation site on the shoreline of Mosquito Creek because of rapid sea erosion.
(3) Dire economic consequences specially for the energy sector located in Point Fortin and its environs.

It should be pointed out that Mr Sharma had ample opportunity to actively address and rectify the existing problems, which he is now so passionately pursuing. Firstly, as the MP for Fyzabad since 1991 he could have consistently raised these issues in Parliament, since the Mosquito Creek and the cremation site both fall within the Fyzabad constituency. Secondly, during the UNC’s term in office from 1995, Mr Sharma was firstly the Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Works and Transport and then Junior Minister in the Ministry of Local Government and Infrastructure. Indeed, his charm and powers of persuasion would have greatly assisted him in this regard. Thirdly, he has a very amiable relationship with former Prime Minister Panday, whom he could have persuaded to direct the relevant Ministers to promptly address such serious issues which he is now championing.

Mr Sharma has stated that provisions were made in the 2001 Budget for $17 million to be allocated to repairs for the Mosquito Creek roadway and retaining wall and also for rehabilitation of the cremation site. Let him now substantiate his claims that the PNM, when they formed the Government in December 2001, chose to allocate the money elsewhere, thus neglecting the Mosquito Creek Project and discriminating against the majority of UNC Indian supporters who use the roadway and cremation site. As your political leader is in the habit of saying “bring the evidence,” the onus is on you MP Sharma to substantiate the claim that you had made consistent representation and that monies were provided. These issues should be raised in Parliament, and not only through the UNC Parliamen-tary Caucus.  If not, you will be identified as just another non-performing representative who is elected because of a party that makes an ethnic appeal oblivious to performance or non-performance.

TIMOTHY WHITE
Point Fortin