[www.inewsguyana.com] – Agriculture Minister Noel Holder is currently hospitalized at the Caribbean Heart Institute after suffering some complications to his heart and lungs.
iNews understands that Holder complained of some chest pains on Sunday and was rushed to the hospital. Medical professionals are currently paying keen attention to the condition of the Minister, although he is listed as a stable.
Director of Public Information, Imran Khan told iNews that it is uncertain whether Holder will be able to make it to Parliament today where Finance Minister Winston Jordan is expected to present the first Budget for the APNU+AFC administration.
Khan explained that Holder is currently at the Heart Institute and is “walking and talking” well, however doctors are still inclined to keep him for observation.
Sorry to learn of the ill-health of the Hon Min of Agriculture. He is wished a speedy recovery and strength to continue in his important portfolio.
A few weeks ago I had a very brief conversation with Mr Noel Holder and he seemed fine to me. But then, that’s life. Wishing him a speedy and full recovery. There’s so much work to be done. I’ve already blogged on a few occasions suggesting that he should go and visit those serious Farmers at Fort Nassau on the Upper Berbice river.
Minister Noel Holder is a sincere and committed person and so I join the nation in wishing him a speedy recovery. In the interim, President Granger needs to seriously consider the appointment of Mr. Vibert Parvatan as the acting Minister of Agriculture as this is too important a ministry to be left to its own whim and fancies.
Vibert Parvatan remains one of the most respected persons regionally in terms of agriculture after having been Minister of Agriculture previously under the late President Hugh Desmond Hoyte (a technocratic appointment) and prior to this he held senior leadership posts at the now defunct GNTC, GUYSTAC and Booker Estates.
He is a consumate professional and enjoyed the respect, confidence and company of the likes of the late Sir Jock Campbell, the late Gavin Kennard (Minister of Agriculture under the late Forbes Burnham), the late Harry Madraymootoo and the late Ivan Veerasammy (former head of Guyana Stockfeeds and chief veterinary surgeon of then British Guiana).
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture – George Jervis is good chap but being left to run the whole ministry on his own is no easy feat for even the most battle hardened bureaucrat of the century.
I wish the Agriculture Minister a speedy recovery.