CEO of Government Information Services Ltd (GISL)?Andy Johnson paid a visit in what he called a show of solidarity with activist Dr Wayne Kublalsingh yesterday. Kublalsingh, who spent the 13th day of his hunger strike on the roadside opposite the Prime Minister's Office, took up his place on Gray Street as police stood guard on the pavement outside the PM's office. The barriers that had been erected around the building on Monday had not been moved.
"Dr Kublalsingh is somebody I have known for the last ten years," said Johnson. He said he had followed Kublalsingh's activities and they had been in the same situations, whether it was the campaign against the Chatham Smelter or Alutrint aluminium plant.
"He is a citizen of T&T whom I admire. I don't want to shy away from him because I happen to be working for the Government of T&T. "I?am operating my right as a citizen to come and visit with him." Chairman of the Tunapuna Piarco Regional Corporation Khadijah Ameen was another visitor. Ameen, who has not been shy about her support for the highway, said she felt Kublalsingh's stance was very brave. "We still need the highway," said Ameen.
Kublalsingh reminded her that he was not against the highway. "She said she had visited the University of the West Indies and found there were many students both for and against it." There were fewer supporters at Kublalsingh's protest yesterday than on previous days.
Though the number fluctuated throughout the day, at one point there were about 50 people surrounding him on Gray Street, St Clair, 16 of whom were media professionals. The Oilfield Workers Trade Union (OWTU) presence that had been felt throughout the hunger strike was missing. OWTU president Ancel Roget made a quick visit in between union meetings. Former Attorney General Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj, SC, also visited.
