Speaking with MiyVue.com today, Powell explained that he sent a letter to Ms. Liburd’s constituency #2 office requesting that she makes herself available for a debate on Monday, 9th February, however, this did not go down well with the Labour Party representative.
Further, Powell disclosed that he “cannot” seem to locate the sitting government Minister.
“I have been looking for Marcella Liburd; I have been unable to locate her. I have been all throughout her constituency of Central Basseterre and have not been able to find her,” Powell said.
In explaining the challenge he threw out to his rival in Central Basseterre, Powell said that it was Sunday last, while at a Public meeting in the constituency that he called out the Labour representative to debate issues of critical importance facing that district.
“On Sunday evening on the political platform at a public meeting with Team Unity on Central Street in Constituency #2, I issued a challenge to her. I reiterate that challenge, and I challenge Marcella Liburd to a public debate on the issues affecting Central Basseterre on Monday, 9th February, at 5 p.m. on the corner of Fiennes Avenue and Central Street, which is in the heart of the constituency.
“I believe that it is imperative that the people of Central Basseterre are afforded the opportunity to hear both of our plans, hear us head to head and make a determination for themselves as to who have the better agenda, as to who they think is most suited to represent them over the next five years,” Powell explained.
When asked if he thinks that the constituency representative would make an appearance on Monday, Powell said he hopes that she does, “for the best interest” of the people of Central Basseterre.
“As their representative, I would hope that she would show up and at least attempt to defend herself and her performance over the last five years. I look forward to the debate, because I know that my agenda is strong, and I know that it is substantive. I know that it actually looks out for the needs and wants of the constituency of Central Basseterre. It goes beyond giving them handouts. It provides a hand up,” he stressed
The young lawyer told this publication that he does not believe that the constituency representative has done enough in the area for her to be reelected for another term to represent the people of Central Basseterre.
“She has failed the people of Central Basseterre. She has abandoned them. She has neglected them for over five years. If, in this day and age, five years later all she can boast about is that she renovated a public bath for the people of that community, I think she has miserably failed, and that is why one of my first initiatives would be to be bring running water to every family and every home to the people of Central Basseterre.
“And that is why I am saying that I commit my first month’s salary as a minister of government under a government of national unity to the construction of a private bathroom facility to the most needy persons in that area where she renovated that bath,’ Powell outlined.
However, when contacted for a comment on the debate, Minister Liburd indicated that she would not be commenting on the matter.