PP government has no policy on ethnic balance: Warner

Jack Warner told Parliament Wednesday the People’s Partnership Government does not have a policy of ethnic balance.

The chairman of the United National National Congress (UNC), who also holds the portfolio of Minister of Works and Transport, made the comment in response to a question from Opposition leader Keith Rowley during debate on a private motion by Rowley.

Rowley called on the House of Representatives to condemn former chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC) Nizam Mohammed for comments he made regarding an ethnic imbalance in the Police Service.

The government distanced itself from Mohammed’s remarks and noted that it has always believed in a meritocracy rather than any kind of affirmative action. President Max Richards subsequently fired Mohammed and appointed Prof. Ramesh Deosaran as his successor.

Rowley made reference to a recommendation in a report on the review/restructuring of the police Special Anti-Crime Unit that attempts be made to achieve an ethnic balance in the Police Service.

Warner stated that the cabinet rejected that recommendation outright.

Rowley raised other issues to make his point about ethnicity, noting that under the People’s Partnership Government, all 11 members of the board of the Estate Management Business Development Company are citizens of East Indian descent. 

He also said all the chairmen and deputy chairmen of all the Regional Health Authorities in Trinidad are also East Indians.

Warner countered by stating that the PNM discriminated against East Indians throughout its existence.

With respect to Mohammed, Warner said the former PSC chairman was wrong to say he would change the ethnic imbalance in the police service because he had no constitutional authority to deal with the matter. He noted that Mohammed was fired for his irresponsible statement.

The Chaguanas West MP dismissed Rowley's motion as a complete waste of time, adding that if Rowley wanted to score cheap political points and claim victory for having Mohammed removed, then he could do so.

During the debate Speaker Wade Mark cautioned Rowley for stating that when Attorney General Anand Ramlogan went to the Trinidad and Tobago diplomatic mission in New York he expressed concern about the ethnic composition of the staff there.

Warner challenged Rowley on that point and produced documentary evidence to indicate that Ramlogan never travelled to New York since assuming office. The minister asked for an apology from Rowley, which he did not get.

Warner suggested that there are "other mechanisms available to the Government" to ensure the opposition leader apologise.

Warner caused the House to erupt into laughter when he noted that the PNM is now a divided party. “The PNM is split in three ways—five with Diego Martin West, five with San Fernando East and two in the bathroom,” he said.