Letter: The PP gov't has performed; discard the propaganda and give them a chance

Contrary to a wave of opinion which suggests that the People's Partnership is not performing, I am of the view that the Government has done a reasonable job within the seven months it has been in Office.

The setting up of a Government which includes the formation of a Cabinet comprising competent Ministers was the first major task of the Prime Minister. She did well in her choices. Not only were competent persons chosen from those successful in the elections, but in addition the Cabinet reflects the ethnic composition of the country.

This is a far cry from Mr Manning who once declared that he could not find East Indians. The future of this country depends on the commitment of all the people.

The PM in her wisdom knows that you cannot succeed with only half the country supporting you. This genuine attempt at ethnic balance is also reflected in the composition of state boards where it seems extra efforts are being made for balance.

What is even more striking is the fact that state board appointees have not been duplicated and no one is serving on two boards. This is good strategy because it controls the tendency of interlocking directorates to be corrupt.

In the first three to four months Ministers most of whom were there for the first time had to become familiar with the public service, with rules of governance and with setting out a plan of action. some have taken longer than others.

However it must also be noted that with changes in Government, the old order fights back, and it seems that this is also the case. The PP Govt should have shaken the trees already by making personnel changes so that the support of critical human resources in the Public Service would have been in place. It is not too late to so do.

The introduction of a policy on Multiculturalism was a giant step in the cultural evolution of Trinidad and Tobago and marks a radical departure from the past. In mixed societies it is important that people be made to feel important, appreciated and respected. 

Treating with social customs and cultural practices in a spirit of equality is most important. It creates an environment of ownership for one' s country and its future. Divali was the best ever funded by any Government in the history of our country. The national Awards were more evenly distributed and reflected the country.

While the crime situation continues to be problematic, including a new wave of domestic violence the PP must be given credit fr bringing before the Parliament important (though some say draconian) pieces of legislation to combat the crime.

Amongst these are the Anti Gang legislation and the Bail Act Amendment. All of this is happening as the Justice system was being re-organized with the creation of a Ministry of Justice in addition to Legal Affairs and the Attorney General's Office.

The debate on hanging as a deterrent was also re-introduced as well as the Joint patrols. amidst this the Govt did succeed in appointing a CoP. It takes some time to set up a Ministry and to organize for delivery. That all of this was done in seven months is commendable.

The disenchantment with the government is coming from a population who have very high expectations of the PP. They were fed up of driving on bad roads, having to face water woes and being flooded out. They want a cataclysmic shift in their quality of life in these areas and are losing their patience in having to wait.

It is in the delivery of these basic services that the PP will regain the perceived loss of confidence in them.

The disenchantment is also being fuelled by the 289,000 PNM voters who want the previous political culture to continue.

It is a calculated strategy that we are seeing being played out in the talk of loss of confidence in the economy. There is no loss of confidence. The Foreign companies have not closed their businesses. Local businesses have not foreclosed like in the USA. In Parliament recently we heard of new acreages being given out for offshore drilling. We are hearing of investment missions to our country.

We must not forget that the PP inherited a treasury which according to Mr Dookeran went down in two years from 19 billion in cash to 5 billion when the PP came into office.

We must be honest enough to admit where and with what inheritance the Government started. We have not spoken about the CLICO debt and the contractors debt and the HCU depositors, nor of the cost overruns, nor of the big buildings that bring no revenue.

We have not spoken of a demoralized police Service who were short by 2400 officers. This is the inheritance that the PP Govt has been manging for the past seven months. Yet, they have been able to create the Life Fund for Children, give out letters of comfort, begin to distribute deeds to sugar workers, create a Ministry of the People and launch a vicious attack on poverty.

For the first time in the country's history farmers were compensated within six weeks for flood damages. Residents were also compensated in several areas for flood damages to their homes and businesses.

The Minister of Local Govt has been able to set up TENT to respond to disasters in a speedier fashion. The Government has been doing on balance a credible job. Yes they can do better. However let us be fair to them. 

They have now set up shop, developed infrastructure and seem to be ready to deliver. if they fail I will be the first to write again and be critical of them. But for now they deserve the benefit of the doubt.

Chandra HarnananFernando