By Sue-Ann Wayow
MEMBER of Parliament for Cumuto/Manzanilla Dr Rai Ragbir finally had his garbage collected from his home in Chaguanas.
His trash was collected on Thursday – a non-garbage collection day after a video began circulating on social media that showed a pile-up of garbage purportedly waiting to be collected while other surrounding houses all had their garbage collected.
Dr Ragbir who lives in the constituency of Chaguanas East told AZP News on Friday that the garbage was picked up around 10 am, the day before.
The United National Congress (UNC) led Chaguanas Borough Corporation has oversight of garbage collection in the area.
AZP News has attempted to get in contact with the Corporation concerning the matter.
Since Dr Ragbir voted for the Whistleblower Protection Bill, 2022 in Parliament last Friday, he has claimed he is being victimised by fellow UNC members.
In a media release earlier this week, Dr Ragbir said it was brought to his attention that councillors attached to the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation were planning a demonstration against him for voting for the bill.
He also said that he has heard statements from the UNC’s deputy political leaders David Lee and Dr Roodal Moonilal that accused him of neglecting to attend parliamentary caucus meetings.
Dr Ragbir said he will never condemn anyone for “peacefully expressing dissent towards any elected official” as was their constitutional right.
He maintains he stands by his vote.
Dr Ragbir also said, “I note the tragic irony that my party’s disciplinary committee which has long been defunct, has now seemingly sprung into action, not to address members charged with crimes or those facing serious allegations of corruption or human trafficking, but rather to deal with my vote on a bill meant to fight corruption.”
On Monday, UNC political leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar said a meeting will be held with Dr Ragbir to discuss his action in the Parliament.
