Leader of the Movement for Social Justice (MSJ) David Abdulah's decision to boycott the governing Peoples' Partnership's second anniversary celebrations and then call for the removal of all MSJ members from all State-owned organisations clearly exposes the emotions he has apparently harboured for the first two years of the new Government.

He keeps bragging about the "Fyzabad Declaration" and that the PP Government is reneging on honouring the conditions in that agreement, without justifying any of his allegations. But, alas, when an analysis is done on the reasons for his disenchantment, one will soon realise that he does not fully understand the integrity of these same principles in collective bargaining and responsibility to keep the five-party partnership cohesively strong and proactive.

Mr Abdulah, together with his union comrades, Ancel Roget and Vincent Cabrera, have vociferously signalled their views on the state of governance, particularly in understanding the economy, in areas of salaries and monetary increases for the working class.

This Government, as the chief steward of State, after inheriting years of humongous debts and misuse of the nation's resources by the inert People's National Movement (PNM)-ruled governments of yesteryear, have embarked on rebuilding modes, garnering all its resources wisely and investing to stimulate recovery and growth to keep the economic wheels rolling again.

Surely, just as the MSJ has a constitution and policy for its party members, so, too, does the United National Congress (UNC), the Congress of the People (COP), the Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) and the National Joint Action Committee (NJAC), all with some diversity yet similar in approach for unity, inclusion and participation in a plural nation.

Essentially, this is what the Fyzabad Declaration stands for, giving respect for all and shouldering the collective burden of governance in the nation-building processes. We Trinbagonians, as a people, have to know how to coexist as one native people, in "harmony with diversity".

All of us will remember the night of May 24, 2010 when spontaneous celebrations erupted all over the country when the People's Partnership overwhelmingly whipped the then PNM government. Many would say if it is solely to highlight the removal of the corrupt PNM from office, it is enough reason to celebrate. After two years, this momentum has not diminished but, instead, has grown enormously as the new Government celebrated this victory and highlights its long list of achievements.

Mr Abdulah cannot portray himself as a Government senator while ordering the removal of all MSJ members from all State boards. The Prime Minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, as the leader, has an obligation to the nation to act by serving an ultimatum that if Mr Abdulah and the MSJ continue to act like this and obstruct the wheels of nation-building, then she is left with no option but to crack the whip and fire him!

Colin Ghouralal

Chaguanas