Jack Warner believes the illegal sickout by some police officers to protest the five per cent salary increase being offered by Government was unfortunate and regrettable.
The Works and Transport Minister spoke with reporters Wednesday afternoon ahead of a tour of the Couva North Constituency with the MP, Ramona Ramdial Warner to assess road rehabilitation and drainage needs.
The Works and Transport Minister spoke with reporters Wednesday afternoon ahead of a tour of the Couva North Constituency with the MP, Ramona Ramdial Warner to assess road rehabilitation and drainage needs.
Chaguanas Mayor Orlando Nagessar and Minister in the Ministry of Works and Transport Stacy Roopnarine also joined the tour along with officials from Warner's ministry.
The minister thanked those officers who stayed at work and refused to join the action. "We in no way condone the strike action that is taking place...But we are very thankful for those who are on the job and those who have decided to perform in the service of the nation," he said.
Warner said he was disappointed by the members of the Guard and Emergency Branch (GEB) who left the private residences of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Attorney General Anand Ramlogan and Chief Justice Ivor Archie unguarded.
However he said that sent another message - that the PM doesn't even need security.
"Our Prime Minister is approachable, open and amenable. But at the end of the day, I don't even think our Prime Minister needs security. She is the kind of person who could walk anywhere," he said.
"So, in many ways, I am saying this is a good test to see how popular or unpopular she is. She can walk anywhere, anytime without security.
The minister thanked those officers who stayed at work and refused to join the action. "We in no way condone the strike action that is taking place...But we are very thankful for those who are on the job and those who have decided to perform in the service of the nation," he said.
Warner said he was disappointed by the members of the Guard and Emergency Branch (GEB) who left the private residences of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Attorney General Anand Ramlogan and Chief Justice Ivor Archie unguarded.
However he said that sent another message - that the PM doesn't even need security.
"Our Prime Minister is approachable, open and amenable. But at the end of the day, I don't even think our Prime Minister needs security. She is the kind of person who could walk anywhere," he said.
"So, in many ways, I am saying this is a good test to see how popular or unpopular she is. She can walk anywhere, anytime without security.
"At the end of the day, we will see if the guys did something correct or not. However, I don't condone what they have done. It was wrong, it was illegal and it cannot put them in a good light," Warner said.
Warner also dismissed the claim by opposition Senator Pennelope Beckles-Robinson who told legislators on Tuesday that the country is in chaos as a result of the police action.
"There is no impasse. The fact is that the Government has said that we do not have the ability to pay the kind of money that the people are asking for...
"I read somewhere where the minister said if he had the money, he would pay them. If I had the money, I, too, would have paid them. We don't have the money and, therefore, you cannot get blood out of stone.
"The last Government did not give us the kind of latitude to pay the kind of salaries we want to pay, and people have to understand that and respect that," Warner declared.
Warner also dismissed the claim by opposition Senator Pennelope Beckles-Robinson who told legislators on Tuesday that the country is in chaos as a result of the police action.
"There is no impasse. The fact is that the Government has said that we do not have the ability to pay the kind of money that the people are asking for...
"I read somewhere where the minister said if he had the money, he would pay them. If I had the money, I, too, would have paid them. We don't have the money and, therefore, you cannot get blood out of stone.
"The last Government did not give us the kind of latitude to pay the kind of salaries we want to pay, and people have to understand that and respect that," Warner declared.
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