PM Kamla meets National Security Council Monday

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is meeting with the National Security Council Monday afternoon to review the country's security situation and get an update on the State of Emergency.

She made the announcement Sunday the Piarco International Airport shortly after returning home from an extended overseas trip to attend the Commonwealth heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Australia.

Persad-Bissessar spoke about the meeting in response to a reporter who wanted to know whether she is paying attention to the various calls from organisations and civil society to end the measure, which began on August 21.

She assured reporters that she has always listened to what citizens are saying. However she pointed out since she had just arrived she needs to have the most updated information before commenting.

The opposition, trade unions, the business sector - including the T&T Chamber and T&T Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) - have all asked for the emergency to end. Businesses in particular are concerned of the effect it would have on holiday shopping.

Commentators have also said that the emergency has served its purpose and unless there is a truly pressing need for it to continue, the government should end it now.

both indicated that the curfew should be removed because of the upcoming Christmas into Carnival season, though the SoE is not as much of an issue.

“My ministers have been briefing me on the ongoing debate on whether to continue or not,” she said. 

“When we established the state of emergency, it was not a political decision. It was a decision taken after consultation with the protective services and therefore any change in that status will be have to be after consultation with those protective service heads and I will be so guided.”

She added, “It is not within my knowledge nor appropriate to say ‘Yea’ or ‘Nay’. It has to be done based on the information of the security services of T&T and it is an item for discussion tomorrow (Monday).”