'Lay off Babsy'
Published:Monday | January 24, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Newby defends Grange in face of criticism from youth group leaders
Laura Redpath, Senior Gleaner Writer
Reacting to revelations that youth group leaders are unimpressed with the current minister's management of the youth portfolio, Senator Warren Newby has declared that some of the accusations are baseless and unfounded.
Several youth leaders, during a Gleaner Editors' Forum at the newspaper's North Street, central Kingston offices, had called for the reassignment of Youth Minister Olivia 'Babsy' Grange's portfolio to the education ministry.
'Leave Babsy alone'
The Government says it will be inviting youth group leaders to a special meeting to discuss their concerns after a weekend revelation that they are unimpressed with the current minister's management of the youth portfolio.
Several youth leaders, during a Gleaner Editors' Forum at the newspaper's North Street, central Kingston offices, had called for the reassignment of Youth Minister Olivia 'Babsy' Grange's portfolio to the education ministry.
Yesterday, Senator Warren Newby, parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, told The Gleaner he would have preferred if the youth leaders had not chastised Grange.
Newby said he thought the criticism of Grange was unfair as he has been the driving force behind the country's National Youth Policy.
The criticism had come from the leaders of the National Youth Council, National Youth Parliament, University of the West Indies Guild of Students, National Youth Parliamentary Watch Committee and the Portmore Youth Council.
These groups noted at Friday's Editors' Forum that the policies implemented by the youth ministry seldom address the youth audience.
"If there is anybody who would represent the Government's engagement of the youth sector, it would be me," Newby told The Gleaner yesterday. "I would have felt far more comfortable if they had directed their comments at me, rather than at the minister."
Exaggeration
Newby, who has been representing the youth sector since 2007, said the ministry was proud of the advocacy the youth leaders' have demonstrated.
However, he said he felt there was "a little bit of exaggeration" on their part.
In a release issued later yesterday, Newby named and tackled specific youth advocates on their pronouncements against his ministry during the forum.
"Mr Ryan Small, the newly elected chairman of the National Youth Council, remarks that the portfolio is not being managed properly; I find this unfortunate," Newby said. "As chairman, he held his first meeting on Saturday, January 14, 2011, and is yet to meet with the leadership of the ministry in his new capacity to discuss the issues that are of importance to the council. No plan of action, budget or strategic objective has been communicated to the ministry. No meeting/consultation has been held, neither has he sought to engage the minister or myself on any matter."
Small had led the call for removing the portfolio "and placing it with someone who is competent in managing the affairs of young people".
In his release Newby added: "(Small's) appreciation of the challenges would therefore be constrained by the limited knowledge he possesses of the efforts being undertaken."
The senator also argued that Ruth Ann Lawrence, of the NCYD, had made "baseless" assertions about youth empowerment officers not being paid.
"There have been challenges with the payment of utility bills owing to cash-flow limitations, as the Government continues with its aggressive programme of recovery from the global recession," Newby, however, admitted in reaction to another of Lawrence's criticisms. "The honourable minister has been interfacing with the utility providers to provide alternative solutions to the current difficulties."
No fear of persecution
Despite disputing the claims made by the youth advocates, Newby gave his word that youth leaders had no reason to fear persecution for "making noise" against the Government.
"I give them the assurance that voicing their opinions in the appropriate manner is welcomed as this administration has worked hard to depoliticise youth work and to give fair and uncensored access to all youth leaders," he said.
"Youth advocates also know that I have an open-door policy and, therefore, could have chosen to discuss any issues with me before an act of national publicity was taken. I take this opportunity to remind all youth that my door is open."
Last night, while addressing the Prime Minister's Youth Awards for Excellence, Grange acknowledged the criticisms, but stressed that the country was still facing severe challenges.
"The Government has been honest with the people. Things are tough and as a consequence we have to tighten our belts," she said in addressing those gathered for the ceremony on the lawns of Jamaica House in St Andrew.
"In all of this, I still expect impatience on the part of many youth. I understand it and I welcome and value their views. And I wish to assure them that their concerns are not falling on deaf ears."
Newby told The Gleaner that two major challenges are finances and the high turnover rate that exists at the National Centre for Youth Development.
He said advancement opportunities were limited and the youth development officers move on to "other areas of greater stability".
The turnover rate, Newby noted, has a negative impact on continuity within the organisation.
Despite these challenges, he said he was comfortable with the youth portfolio staying where it is as it allows for young people to take advantage of opportunities.