Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar admitted on Wednesday that the past two weeks have been "challenging" as a result of the ongoing State of Emergency.
She made the point at the launch of a crime prevention initiative at Beetham gardens, titled Making Life Important (MLI).
Persad-Bissessar said despite the challenges she is convinced that the State of Emergency was the right thing to do because it averted a crisis.
"There was much deliberation upon it. In the end, after extensive consultations with members of the Cabinet and the National Security Council I took the only decision any responsible leader would under those circumstances," Persad Bissessar said.
She added, "Based upon the intelligence available to our Minister of National Security, we had to respond definitively to protect the lives of innocent men, women and children.
"History will record that because of that decision taken on that day the government averted a crisis of immense proportions and in so doing preserved both the safety of our citizens and the security of the nation."
She also praised the police and spoke about the number of weapons they have recovered.
"About 56 guns were recovered by the police. Compare that to what was happening previous to the State of Emergency. In the period January, I am advised that 231 guns were recovered. That works out to an average of 14 guns per 2 week. In these two weeks alone, they have recovered 56 guns, which mean that there has been a 400% increase in the confiscation of illegal weapons."
Speaking specifically about the MLI initiative, the Prime Minister said it is aimed at restoring faith in the sanctity of human life and respect for one's physical environment by creating an environment of peace, order and good-will in specially identified, at-risk communities.
It complements another similar program - the National Youth Mentorship programme, which was launched earlier in the year.
Persad-Bissessar noted that many communities, particularly those within the areas of Port-of-Spain, face the challenges of poverty and inequitable distribution of wealth and opportunities; high levels of unemployment;the collapse of supportive family structures and social relationships; inadequate schooling; the proliferation of street gangs; and lack of positive role models for the youth.
She said the MLI will include an approach that will seek to address the various social challenges residents struggle with on a daily basis.
"It will also seek to return the law enforcement agencies to the communities, in an effort to create a more harmonious, respectful and cooperative relationship between officers and residents.
Persad-Bissessar also announced that the government will locate its first Joint Community Service Centre at the Beetham Community Centre to encourage productivity rather than criminal activity. She said other similar centres will be located in the Port of Spain area.
She also announced that the Ministry of National Security and other Ministries will work together on a variety of projects to help residents.
She pledged to work with the communities to improve the quality of life and called for a partnership. "We cannot do it alone. In order to make our communities safer, cleaner and more productive, we need you! We need your support and your commitment to make things work."
She added, "In turn you have the commitment of government to invest the time and resources which will, once again, Make Life Important in Trinidad and Tobago and ensure a safer, more peaceful nation."
She made the point at the launch of a crime prevention initiative at Beetham gardens, titled Making Life Important (MLI).
Persad-Bissessar said despite the challenges she is convinced that the State of Emergency was the right thing to do because it averted a crisis.
"There was much deliberation upon it. In the end, after extensive consultations with members of the Cabinet and the National Security Council I took the only decision any responsible leader would under those circumstances," Persad Bissessar said.
She added, "Based upon the intelligence available to our Minister of National Security, we had to respond definitively to protect the lives of innocent men, women and children.
"History will record that because of that decision taken on that day the government averted a crisis of immense proportions and in so doing preserved both the safety of our citizens and the security of the nation."
She also praised the police and spoke about the number of weapons they have recovered.
"About 56 guns were recovered by the police. Compare that to what was happening previous to the State of Emergency. In the period January, I am advised that 231 guns were recovered. That works out to an average of 14 guns per 2 week. In these two weeks alone, they have recovered 56 guns, which mean that there has been a 400% increase in the confiscation of illegal weapons."
Speaking specifically about the MLI initiative, the Prime Minister said it is aimed at restoring faith in the sanctity of human life and respect for one's physical environment by creating an environment of peace, order and good-will in specially identified, at-risk communities.
It complements another similar program - the National Youth Mentorship programme, which was launched earlier in the year.
Persad-Bissessar noted that many communities, particularly those within the areas of Port-of-Spain, face the challenges of poverty and inequitable distribution of wealth and opportunities; high levels of unemployment;the collapse of supportive family structures and social relationships; inadequate schooling; the proliferation of street gangs; and lack of positive role models for the youth.
She said the MLI will include an approach that will seek to address the various social challenges residents struggle with on a daily basis.
"It will also seek to return the law enforcement agencies to the communities, in an effort to create a more harmonious, respectful and cooperative relationship between officers and residents.
Persad-Bissessar also announced that the government will locate its first Joint Community Service Centre at the Beetham Community Centre to encourage productivity rather than criminal activity. She said other similar centres will be located in the Port of Spain area.
She also announced that the Ministry of National Security and other Ministries will work together on a variety of projects to help residents.
She pledged to work with the communities to improve the quality of life and called for a partnership. "We cannot do it alone. In order to make our communities safer, cleaner and more productive, we need you! We need your support and your commitment to make things work."
She added, "In turn you have the commitment of government to invest the time and resources which will, once again, Make Life Important in Trinidad and Tobago and ensure a safer, more peaceful nation."
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