PP MP’s going beyond the call of duty
Prior to 2010 did constituents have the mobile numbers of their MPs? Even if you did and you called, would they have answered? If they missed your call, would they haved returned it?
A few weeks ago I tried calling Dr. Rambachan a few times; it is important to note, we don’t know each other at all. As busy as he is, I didn’t get on to him, but very late that night he returned my call. The Minister promptly identified himself and proceeded to find out if I have a problem and …what it is. This said to me, that for him to return my call, he must have been going through his phone and returning all calls he didn’t manage to take during the day. Which Minister did this prior to 2010?
Earlier this morning I tried calling my MP, Honourable Ramona Ramdial. She answered right away as always, offering her support, advice and assistance. Ms. Ramdial is not your regular MP, she perfectly juggles her constituency, parliamentary, ministerial and party responsibilities. I said she is not your regular MP, because while she is doing all those things I mentioned above, she is also taking care of her baby who is only a few months old. I recently attended a session of the UNC’s Party School, which is an initiative of the MP. On a Saturday morning she could have easily stayed at home, using her baby as an excuse. Instead, she was there way before the start making sure preparations went well, stayed for most of the program and then rushed off to perform her motherly obligations.
Even when I didn’t support all that this PP government did, (which I never kept a secret) I couldn’t help but notice all the great work this young woman did and continues to do in the Couva North Constituency. We may not see the MP’s vehicle driving around the constituency, but we could surely see the roads being paved, the drains and pavements being built, the recreational facilities being upgraded with pavilions and lights, the community groups receiving assistance for cultural programs, the religious groups receiving assistance for Divali, Eid and Christmas, etc. Thankfully, two term limits won’t apply for Members of Parliament, because Couva North found an MP for life.
Back to reason of my post, even if you have a problem and can’t receive help right away, isn’t it super comforting and reassuring to have your MP answer your calls. Even if it is to say, come to my office on office day, or we can’t do it now but it would be done in a of couple months.
Isn’t this the kind of representation we clamoured for before 2010? Isn’t this the kind of representation that PNM constituents should demand from their MP’s as well?
We all deserve this! We should all demand it! Change is in our hands!
Davan Ramrattan
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