Executive member of People’s Progressive Party and former Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon has announced plans to increase his activism at the Party level as it heads into the National Assembly, this time as the opposition party.
Dr. Luncheon, who had disclosed some worrying health setbacks last year, now says he will continue to serve and carry out functions as a leader within the party.
“There will be Luncheon active in politics and active in the PPP party politics as we continue as the parliamentary opposition,” he told media operatives at a Saturday morning press briefing.
Dr. Luncheon will not be occupying any of the 32 seats that the PPP has secured in the House, but he hinted that the country could see the party taking up those seats by the next sitting of the Assembly slated for July 30.
Luncheon had served as the Secretary to both Cabinet and the Defence Board under the PPP administration.
He had also served as the Chairman of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS). Last year, he disclosed that he was suffering from gastro-intestinal cancer and that it had spread to his lungs.
He was first diagnosed with the malignant disease in June, 2013.
When questioned about his health concerns, he said “I don’t particularly intend to have my health and concerns about that being the subject of further discussions.”
He said his health complications did not prevent him in any way from discharging his functions while in government and he does not see how it would affect him now.
“For the Luncheon well wishers there will be more than less of me politically,” he added as he recalled the active role he played in the recent campaign season.
Meanwhile, Dr. Luncheon has raised concerns over the functions of his successor, Joseph Harmon who is the Minister of State.
He said there is no comparison between what he did and what Harmon is tasked with doing as there is vast differences between the portfolios. “I don’t believe you can compare fish and fowl.”
Luncheon explained that Harmon’s responsibilities appear immense and enormous and he intends to pay close attention to the implications.
He explained that added to what he did; Harmon is also a Parliamentarian and has responsibilities for several dissolved ministries.
The PPP lost the May 11 elections and though it won 32 seats, it is still to take up those opposition seats in the National Assembly.
Former President Bharrat Jagdeo is expected to be the new Leader of the Opposition while the PPP’S Presidential Candidate and Prime Ministerial Candidate at the last elections will both be absent from the National Assembly.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login