Panday challenges people to action on food crisis

Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday has expressed deep concern over the state of affairs in Trinidad and Tobago especially with regard to the rising cost of food.

"I feel sick and disgusted and I also hope the rest of the country feels disgusted, that's the real issue, you have to feel sick and disgusted to the point where you're going to do something about it," Panday told the Trinidad Express in a telephone interview from London England

Panday is there with his wife, Oma, who is awaiting surgery for a serious heart problem.

"Quite frankly I think the first thing the people of Trinidad and Tobago should do is getting rid of Manning," he said in response to a question from the paper about Prime Minister Patrick Manning's refusal to consider a food subsidy to help deal with the crisis.

He predicted that there will be no ease in the problem unless they come to terms with the fact that Manning is incapable of fixing what is wrong. "If they don't want to face the facts, well that's too bad for them,'' Panday said.

He didn't directly address the contentious issue about whether food subsidies would help. "The Government should not have allowed this issue to reach this position at all, now they can't find their way out."

Panday believes that the government would have to forced into taking action because he is convinced that it would not do anythings about the rising cost of food and crime.

He suggested that the people can take matters in their hands instead of waiting until 2012 for another general election.

"You don't have to wait five years for change, you can bring the Government down by demonstrations and marching, but the people must have the courage," he told the paper.

"If they do nothing, then they must simply be prepared to suffer the consequences," he added.

Commenting on the possible suspension of three opposition members from Parliament for making negative comments about Speaker Barry Sinanan, Panday reiterated that it is part of a plan to undermine democracy.

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"I have been telling this country for a very long time, if you give the PNM a chance they will smother all freedom of speech in the country. Those who don't listen will feel obviously," he said.