Claims of victimization ‘absolute hogwash’ – Gonsalves

The Minister of Economic Affairs has vehemently denied that he is part of a “political conspiracy” orchestrated to victimize a Vincentian environmental/community activist – who alleges that the Unity Labour Party (ULP) administration has blocked him from securing eight jobs over the past 14 years.{{more}}

Camillo Gonsalves, Minister of Economic Planning, Sustainable Development, Industry, Internal Trade, Information and Labour, called into BOOM 106.9’s ‘OMG In The Morning’ radio programme last Tuesday, after the programme’s guest Andrew Simmons accused him of refusing to meet with him [Simmons], and of continuing the victimization that he claims was first meted out by Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves.

“I don’t want to get in the way of anybody’s martyrdom or self-glorification, but I have not once refused a call or anything from Mr Simmons. If Mr Simmons has come to my office and I have not been available, I do not know if that’s the case,” refuted the Economic Affairs Minister.

“For him to come on public radio and say that is very hurtful to me, because I don’t want to be associated with those sorts of things…

“Yesterday, I was not in my office; the week before, I was in New York for over a week at the United Nations. I speak to everybody who comes to my office. It might not be at their optimal timing, because they might come when I’m busy or what have you.”

Gonsalves added: “I’m hearing all of these things about how Mr Simmons has run afoul of the Government… This is all news to me! I know Mr Simmons is involved with GEMS… has environmental credentials and had been involved in the environmental circle – which is important to me. I share some of these concerns about the environment. But to come on the radio and to say that I am avoiding somebody or I don’t want to speak to somebody… it is absolute hogwash!”

Simmons, who resides in the UK, but is currently in St Vincent and the Grenadines conducting research for his PhD programme, said (whilst on the radio programme) that he has been trying unsuccessfully for six weeks to schedule a meeting with the Minister.

“Yesterday, I was told that the Minister could not meet with me!” he lamented.

“When I left the office, I was so deflated, dejected, saddened… This is the son – I didn’t expect the son to continue in the same vein [as his father PM Dr Ralph Gonsalves].”

Simmons added: “Now I’m questioning my own citizenship. I’m questioning my existence as a Vincentian… Seems like this is my hell on earth… seems like the Prime Minister of St Vincent is my devil, and now his son is the beast.”

Gonsalves responded to this by once again denying the claim of victimization – at first saying that there was no victimization on his part, but then later casting doubt on Simmons’s claims of victimization perpetrated by the Prime Minister.

“You do not craft some narrative that there is this massive conspiracy against you from father to son. That is not true!”

However, Simmons retorted: “I am not in any back and forth with you… I am stating the facts; so, if you want to call it hogwash, that is your business… I am not going to Camillo Gonsalves and asking for favours… You are in a public space, you are in a public position… I really thought better of you.”

Gonsalves conceded that many persons who wish to hold an audience with him often are unable to do so in their own timing, simply because he is at the helm of a busy Ministry that has several portfolios.

However, Simmons rebutted that if Gonsalves cannot manage his time as the Minister efficiently, then it is indicative that he should either give up some of the portfolios, or not have been selected to lead said Ministry in the first place.

“I am calling for accountability… The people of St Vincent must start to open your eyes, and start to see what is happening within your community!” (JSV)