Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves says that former senator Rochard “Pit Bull” Ballah will be reinstated to that position soon.
He said on state radio on Wednesday that he had instructed Ballah to report to work, once cleared of his COVID-19 infection.
Ballah, who is trained in communications and is a DJ, a radio personality and a former lecturer, campaigned with Gonsalves’ Unity Labour Party for the November 2020 general elections and was appointed a senator that month.
He was also Parliamentary Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Security, Legal Affairs, and Information.
However, last Friday, Jan. 14, days after eight government MPs, including Ballah, tested positive for COVID-19 during the Budget Debate, the prime minister revoked his senatorial appointment and appointed former West Kingstown MP, lawyer Rene Baptiste to replace him.
Two days earlier, the opposition withdrew from the debate, which Gonsalves had refused to postpone even after seven of his MPs tested positive.
The absence of the opposition would have made it impossible for Parliament to convene, had the prime minister not swapped senators.
Gonsalves suggested in Parliament that the move was a temporary one, adding that he was prepared to revoke the appointment of another senator if it was necessary.
Senator Julian Francis, who is Minister of Urban Development also had to miss the debate because of his COVID-19 infection.
Speaking on NBC Radio on Wednesday, the prime minister said that he had postponed that day’s Cabinet meeting to Thursday.
“I had most of the persons available but there are one or two — for instance, Camillo is cleared but a member of his family who lives with him in the house is not cleared yet. So he has to help with the domestic arrangements,” the prime minister said, referring to his son, who is also Minister of Finance.
“… so, to keep that person from others… So, if people don’t see him, he’s actually cleared,” he further said.
Gonsalves had said last week Friday, Jan. 14, that the finance minister, who tested positive for COVID last week Tuesday, Jan. 11, “telephoned me and said that his family was being tested and they were all negative”.
The prime minister said that the finance minister was administered a rapid test, though it was not the fifth day, and it was negative.
“And he took a PCR. I don’t know, but because tomorrow would be the fifth day, he wouldn’t come because he has to stay out, because that’s what the protocol says,” the prime minister said last week.
On Wednesday, the prime minister said that his Health Minister, St. Clair “Jimmy” Prince, who tested positive one week earlier, was expected to be cleared by that day.
“I want to give until tomorrow so that I’ll have the cabinet tomorrow,” Gonsalves said.
“I’m hoping Pitbull would be cleared too. Though he is no longer senator, I told him that he must still come down. There’s work for him to do. You know what I mean.
“And his emoluments should be paid in a different way. Not a senator… Because I think from the way I spoke, as you’d know, it’s not that Pitbull is going to be long out of the House.”
The next meeting of Parliament is scheduled for Feb. 28.
What is your Senatorial Position in The Parliament?
1 Balahoo,
2 Bean bag
3 Replacement
4 Tire
5 Scapegoat
await your answer
my two cents
I have been critical of the ULP government in private discussions on many occasions over the last few years. I have been critical when a national holiday has been granted for spurious events such as our football team playing a match, why, because as a nation of appximately 112 thousand, we can ill afford to lose even one day of production with regards to the perilous state of our economy. I know all those employed in the country will applaud such apparent generosity of the government, but what about the employers of these individuals, they will have to pay a days pay whilst losing the labour, this loss no doubt is passed on to customers.
I have been critical, when it appears obvious that there must be a great shortfall in tax revenue, due to most of the working population simply not paying their due…….members of the building trade come to mind here… no doubt there are many more professions whose members are tax shy. I am absolutely flabbergasted to observe that these law breakers are given amnesty as regards some payments, and are the recipients of many grovelling entreaties to please pay the taxes due to our government, WHAT A FARCE, in other organised countries these individuals would face jail time, and liens on their properties. Instead of rigorously collecting these taxes, the government increases the taxes on everyone to cover the shortfall or worse, borrowing these funds.
Being critical of the ULP does not mean that they have not done a great deal for the country, and are to be commended when they get things right. The problem I have with some of my fellow citizens, is that they take absolute positions. ULP supporters will never agree that any of the policies of their party could be wrong, and likewise, supporters of the NDP cannot bring themselves to applaud when the PM gets it right. These attitudes leads to great division in our society which as a small country, we should avoid like the plague. We need to be able to discuss politics without going to war with each other, we need to be more politically mature, and not be easily fooled by politicians of whatever party, we simply need to grow up as a nation.