No minister of hampers and pampers

THE EDITOR: Social Development Minister and MP for Lopinot/Bon Air West, Cherrie-Ann Crichlow-Cockburn, is the most unassuming PNM female minister I have seen to date.

I listened to her contribution last Friday in the House of Representatives and it seems she is in no way fazed by the enormity and, I daresay, the success thus far of her portfolio. She controls one of the biggest portfolios, one which can make or break a minister or a government.

Unlike one of her predecessors, she clearly is no minister of “hampers and pampers.” I see the emphasis has been placed on social programmes like SEED (Sowing Empowerment through Entrepreneurial Development), adult education and parenting skills. She is seldom seen on television but it is evident she is getting the job done.

Some 18,000 unqualified cardholders were removed from the food card programme and there have been no riots. From what I read previously the cardholders were given the opportunity go in to the ministry and qualify by having a means test applied, but they chose not to. I wonder why?

Good job, Minister Crichlow-Cockburn. This “ghost gang culture” must be brought to nought and thank you for putting your hands up. Like your Prime Minister, it is clear a second term is not your motivation.

ANN MARIE DAVIDSON, San Fernando