“I intend to lead a government that will build a country that places the highest value and integrity in public life through accountability and transparency,” she told a spill-over audience of Trinidadians and Tobagonians in the British capital.
She reiterated that she will not permit wrongdoing in her administration and spoke of plans for procurement legislation.
Persad-Bissessar also spoke of the planned establishment of a Performance Management Unit “which will enable me as Prime Minister to review on a timely basis the efficiency and effectiveness of projects of the different ministries.”
She said, “This will drive my goal of establishing a performance-driven, people-centred philosophy of governance.”
The Prime Minister added, “This will ensure that the values of transparency and accountability in the conduct of public affairs will be achieved.” She said she will act decisively to root out corruption at all levels.
“Corruption is the denial of the right of the citizen to basic needs,” the Prime Minister said.
In a wide-ranging address to hundreds of people at a town hall at Chelsea, Persad-Bissessar said that Commissioner of Police has a mandate to reduce crime. “Failure to perform means that he will be terminated,” she stressed.
On another matter, she said efforts will be made to speed up delivery by respective minstries. Speaking of her constitutional majority in Parliament, she assured that it “will never be used to frustrate the genuine ambitions of the people nor will it ever be used to suppress freedom of expression.”
She added that in spite of that majority, there will be “fundamental and far-reaching” constitutional changes of fixed dates for both local and general elections, as well as a maximum of two terms for a Prime Minister.
“These are bold decisions and will be done in full consultation with the population,” she said.
The Prime Minister identified some of the successes of her administration and added that her leadership style is “governed by the maxim ‘listen before leading’.”
She termed the British-based T&T nationals as “our vanguard flagbearers” and she urged them to be involved in the country’s development.
“Be an agent for Trinidad and Tobago,” Ms. Persad-Bissessar said to the large audience.
The Prime Minister addressed matters that impact upon T&T nationals in Britian, most notably the recent introduction of additional taxes on airline.
She advised: “We are planning to have serious discussions with the authorities and stakeholders in the United Kingdom to have thisd tax removed.”
Persad-Bissessar was lustily applauded throughout her address and received a standing ovation at the end. Scores of people waited to meet her at the end of the session.
-Ken Ali reporting from London
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