"Don’t give the PNM a chance to take you back where you were before May 24th 2010": PM Kamla

Kamla Persad-Bissessar reminded citizens on Monday night that there was a good reason why they voted the People's National Movement (PNM) out of office and asked them to think of how things were before the People's Partnership government took office.

Speaking at a political meeting of the United National Congress (UNC) at the Carapo R.C. School in east Trinidad, she said people must ask themselves the fundamental question of whether they are better off today than when the PNM was in office.

She said all people have to do is look around them and they'll see the evidence of a government at work, delivering services and infrastructure to the people not just in Port of Spain but in every community of Trinidad and Tobago to erase the neglect by the PNM.

Persad-Bissessar noted that the opposition leader - Keith Rowley - has chosen confrontation at every turn instead of seeking to contribute to building the nation.

"Look around the country and your own community and you will see that there has been substantial improvements in roads, drainage, fishing depots and recreation facilities, school buildings, lit recreation grounds, and community centers amongst other facilities, whilst new businesses can be seen opening up in all corners of Trinidad and Tobago," she said.

"All over this country, under my watch, as your Prime Minister, good things are happening which are making a positive impact upon your lives," she said.

She warned citizens to be vigilant and not risk losing all the gains they have made and the benefits they have received in the past three years. "Don’t give the PNM a chance to take you back where you were before May 24th 2010," she said. "You overs that and you overs the PNM too." 

The Prime Minister asked citizens not to fall for the opposition propaganda that the government is not performing.

"We promised to listen to the people and we are doing just that...we will listen, and we will consult and we will then decide and then, we will consult you again. A true participatory democracy is our goal," she said.

She took issue with Keith Rowley and the opposition and charged that they are not interested in reducing crime. She said it's because they are afraid that the government will win the war on crime and place them at a political disadvantage.

"So the PNM solution is to let the criminals hold you to ransom, so that they can look good and they can point fingers and say we have failed," Persad-Bissessar said. 

"They are being hypocrites, preaching one thing and deftly practicing another... I have news for them. The people are on our side in this matter and the people will deal with them at the right time...

"Now, I ask you, on whose side is Keith Rowley on? As your Prime Minister, I am here to report to you that my Government is moving forward with our plans and programs to make TT a better palace."