Dear Editor,
The recent exposure of the deplorable conditions at the Princes Street Amerindian Hostel by the WIN Party led by the incoming Leader of the Opposition Mr. Azruddin Mohamed, necessitates a sober examination of institutional accountability and leadership failure. The evidence presented, reveals not an isolated incident, but the culmination of years of systemic neglect and poor governance. And President Irfaan Ali claims he so loves the Amerindian People?
The primary accountability for this humanitarian failing rests with the former Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Ms. Pauline Sukhai. Her tenure, marked by the expenditure of approximately $173 million on the facility over five years, has resulted in a catastrophic and poor return on investment for the very people it was meant to serve. The outcome—a building prioritized for cosmetic upgrades while its inhabitants languished in squalor, facing public health crises, infrastructural collapse, and profound indignity—represents a total dereliction of ministerial duty by Minister Pauline Sukhai. How she still found a place in President Irfaan Ali’s cabinet smacks of irregularity since she has certainly failed in her mandate and should be sacked.
Under Minister Pauline Sukhai’s watch, the allocation of resources appeared focused on façade over function, on optics over outcomes. So you have a wonderful bridge to enter the Amerindian Hostel, but a totally malfunctioning sanitary block. This is not merely underperformance; it is a fundamental breach of the fiduciary and moral responsibility owed to the First Peoples of this nation by President Irfaan Ali and his Team of PPP Ministers, especially Minister Pauline Sukhai. Such a record warrants serious censure of Minister Pauline Sukhai and I reiterate, she should be sacked.
While the new Minister, Ms. Sarah Browne, cannot be held responsible for the past, her initial response to this crisis has been deeply concerning and indicative of a problematic approach. A Minister’s first duty in such a situation is to acknowledge the gravity of the failure, demonstrate empathy, and present a clear, actionable plan for immediate remediation. She had more than enough time to think of a plan for the improvement to the Amerindian Hostel. Instead, the public witnessed a defensive posture aimed at political point-scoring rather than problem-solving and that was totally uncalled for and unnecessary behaviour on the part of Minister Browne. It actually reflects a deep level of political immaturity on her part and hopefully she learns very fast to behave maturely when it comes to the people’s business. This is not a casino.
Furthermore, the Minister’s commentary regarding procurement was profoundly inappropriate. Her reaction to speculation on the potential involvement of her husband, who is apparently a contractor, in remediation contracts to fix this Hostel, was shocking. Her response to a question posed to her on her husband was a masterpiece of ethical rot: “If he has to get the work, I don’t see why he can’t get benefit.”
This is not just incompetence; it is the brazen normalization of corruption and Minister Browne needs to be called into the cold room by her boss, who worked in the Ministry of Finance and spoken to seriously; that is not the attitude expected from a public official.
Was Minister Browne not schooled in the established financial rules and regulations designed to prevent conflicts of interest? Her dismissive response undermines public trust when it comes to her being in charge of public funds. It demonstrates a troubling misalignment with the principles of transparency and accountability that must underpin any effort to rectify this situation.
The continuity of failure suggests deeper institutional paralysis. The Permanent Secretary, Mr. Ryan Toolsiram, who served during the previous minister’s tenure must share in this poor quality of accountability. To restore credibility and ensure a break from past practices, a change in the senior administrative leadership overseeing this portfolio is not just advisable but essential. I think that President Ali should re-assign Mr. Ryan Toolsiram to a smaller Ministry.
Moving forward, I call for:
Minister Browne to immediately publish a detailed, costed, and time-bound action plan to address every cited deficiency at the Hostel, with progress subject to public reporting.
An unequivocal commitment from Minister Browne to adhere to the highest standards of procurement transparency, with all contracts awarded through proper, competitive channels, free from any perception of conflict of interest involving her husband.
A restructuring of the senior administrative oversight within the Ministry to ensure fresh leadership and a new direction.
Minister Browne now has a clear choice: to become a genuine defender of the Amerindian people by decisively breaking from the failed practices of the past, or to become complicit in their continuation.
The period for excuses has ended. The only acceptable path forward is through demonstrable, urgent, and ethical action. The nation expects nothing less and has high hopes that the youthful Minister Sarah Browne can recover from this and do good by the Amerindian Peoples.