Thursday, March 1, 2012

Young members of the PNM waiting to take Rowley's job: Kamla

Kamla Persad-Bissessar told thousands of supporters Wednesday night the real bombshell on Friday is that young members of the People's National Movement (PNM) would be waiting to take the job of Leader of the Opposition when Keith Rowley's no confidence motion fails.

The Prime Minister was speaking at a political meeting in Penal in her capacity as leader of the United National Congress (UNC). The meeting was attended by the leaders of the People's Partnership who all endorsed her leadership and expressed full confidence in her.

It was the second of three meetings planned in advance of Friday's debate in Parliament on a motion of no confidence in the prime minister. On Tuesday, the team held a meeting in Couva and on Thursday it moves to Rowley's front door for a meeting in Diamond Vale.

In his address earlier in the evening Attorney General Anand Ramlogan stated that he has information that two opposition members are seriously considering voting against Manning's motion.


In her contribution Persad-Bissessar noted that Rowley has become the principal rabble rouser for the anti-government movement, objecting to everything without offering any constructive ideas to govern the nation. She said in the two years since he became leader of the opposition he has not contributed anything meaningful to the nation.

She said the motion is frivolous and based on lies and minformation. Quoting from officials of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) who have just completed a country survey of Trinidad & Tobago, Persad-Bissessar said the view of the international financial experts is that the national economy, which shrunk under the PNM, would grow by 1.7 per cent in 2012.

The IMF team completed its work in February and head of the mission, Judith Gold, issued a statement in Port of Spain.

She said, "There is concrete evidence that the economy is turning the corner and that economic growth will resume in 2012 notwithstanding the ongoing technical disruptions in the energy sector. 

"Real economic activity is projected to increase by 1.7 percent in 2012 as private sector credit expansion gains momentum, the resolution of a large failed insurance company (CLICO) proceeds, the faster pace of government investment continues and energy production returns to normal as the maintenance work is completed while energy prices remain high."

Persad-Bissessar said that alone demonstrates the futility of the motion, which states the Parliament should declare that it has no confidence in the Prime Minister because of her failure to stimulate growth in the economy. She stated further that inflation has been cut in half under her watch.

Persad-Bissessar also used central bank statistics to show that Rowley's claim that there has been no sustainable employment is a lie. She said in 2010 unemployment was over ten per cent. That is projected drop to five per cent in 2012, she noted.

With respect to the charge that she has not acted in the best interest of the people of Trinidad & Tobago, Persad-Bissessar pointed to several major people-oriented projects that have been started or completed in the 21 months since she has been in office.

(Read related story: Message from PM Kamla: Your government is working for you)

The Prime Minister said Rowley continues to act irresponsibly and on Friday the partnership's Matadors will be waiting to tame and take down "the raging bull", a title handed to Rowley by former Prime Minister Patrick Manning.

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Jai & Sero

Jai & Sero

Our family at home in Toronto 2008

Our family at home in Toronto 2008
Amit, Heather, Fuzz, Aj, Jiv, Shiva, Rampa, Sero, Jai