Photo story: Everybody's PM

PM Kamla's independence message urges citizens to work for a better TT

T&T National Flag raised on 31 Aug 1962

National Coat of Arms. Below: The tri-colour national flag of T&T

Today, we celebrate the day on which Trinidad and Tobago gained its independence in 1962.

All the people of Trinidad and Tobago - whether at home or abroad - can be very proud of our achievements, development and influence as an independent nation.

We recall that day on 31st August 1962 when our red, white and black flag was first hoisted. We salute all patriots who have served our nation with distinction. Since that day we have made our own destiny and guarded our own rights and freedoms.

We are a model to the world as a diverse nation of people of many origins who have been able to forge an enduring unity.

We are richer for our diversity and differences and we are stronger as a nation because of the harmony which exists.

Today is a day for all our people whatever their race, background or location.

The responsibility is on us all to remain true to the founding principles of our nation. The challenge to us is to ensure an even better future for our children.

We can be very proud of the performance of our economy, our education system, our healthcare, our infrastructure and our provision of homes. We can also be proud of our achievements in sports, through cricket, football, boxing, and athletics. But let us make the most of what we have and move forward to a better tomorrow.

Let us all work to continue the progress made since independence and to secure an even better future for Trinidad and Tobago.

May God Bless you and your families, and may God Bless our nation, Trinidad and Tobago.

PNM's PROPERTY TAX DANGEROUS: COUDRAY

Marlene Coudray

Local Government Minister Marlene Coudray told supporters on Friday poor people will lose their properties if the PNM gets into office and implements the Property Tax.

She was speaking at a joint cottage meeting hosted by the PP's San Fernando East and San Fernando West candidates Ashaki Scott and Raziah Ahmed held at Manjack Street, Marabella.
 
Coudray, who served as a San Fernando Mayor before she became a government minister, said thousands of people will not be able to afford to pay taxes for their properties if the PNM makes good on its promise to set up the Revenue Authority.
 
"I served as CEO of the San Fernando City Corporation and when the PNM proposed the property tax, I did a document and told them that those taxes will kill people and make them lose their properties as they will not be able to pay," Coudray said.

She added that the poor people on the Marabella Trainline were scheduled to pay $3,600 per year under the proposed property tax scheme. "We looked at the poor people in Pleasantville and they were down to pay $3,600. In Gulf View, people's properties would have gone up by 3,000 per cent. When you cannot pay taxes, the corporation will put properties up for sale," Coudray warned.

She also spoke about a prominent San Fernando family who has a descendant in PNM politics. This family, Coudray said, purchased multiple properties decades ago from poor people who could not pay property taxes.
 
"I want to ask who was taking people properties when they couldn’t pay their rates? The sharks are out there waiting to prey on innocent people again," Coudray added.
 
She said under the Kamla Persad-Bissessar administration, there will be no property tax for 2016.
 
"The Prime Minister has said that all squatters will be regularized and we have to let people settle themselves before we have taxes," Coudray explained. She also accused the Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley of trying to hoodwink the population by promising to reduce VAT to 12.5 per cent.
 

Ashaki Scott

Saying that the PP government had already reduced VAT on 7,000 food items, Coudray said that Rowley planned to put back VAT on the 7,000 food items before implementing the 12.5 per cent decrease.
 
Meanwhile, Scott urged the supporters to vote for Persad-Bissessar. Saying she came from a lineage of anti-PNM activists, Scott vowed to end infrastructural neglect in the south city. Ahmed also promised a clean city.

She said water will be made available for all, and health care and education will be world class.

Kamla calls out Rowley for neglecting the poor

Supporters at the UNC rally in Moruga/Tableland

In her most stinging attack on Keith Rowley so far, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar on Friday took Rowley apart on policy judgment and trying to pull a confidence trick on the people of Trinidad and Tobago and betraying the legacy of the past 53 years. 

The speech to a packed public meeting in the Moruga/Tableland constituency, was used by the Prime Minister to contrast the Plan she and the People’s Partnership have put to the people to improve the lives of citizens, versus the vacuous empty rhetoric of Keith Rowley. 

Mrs Persad-Bissessar highlighted the potentially devastating consequences of a Keith Rowley government that would bring back the hated property tax, increase VAT and cut vital public services. 

She said, "As we approach our 53rd anniversary of Independence on Monday, the people of our country will reflect on how loyal, forgiving and united we are as a people. Do not allow Keith Rowley to use this mood to spread his dubious distortions and make you think that after 50 years of betraying the people, they will now change. 

"If you want a glimpse of how Keith Rowley will manage our nation, look first at how they managed the fortunes of the most faithful who wedded themselves to the PNM since the beginning! In over half a century, and over 40 years of power, East Port of Spain and Laventille have never turned their backs on the PNM. 

"Even when the PNM was almost wiped out in 1986 and 2010, the people of Laventille stayed loyal. Yet by 2010 when you elected us, outhouses (*latrines) were still a way of life for the people of Laventille! 

"It is my Government, during this term, that launched a programme to finally bring dignity to families and homes in Laventille. Through this programme we eradicated pit latrines and replaced them with septic tanks and soakaways, showers, sinks and all electrical plumbing, tiling, painting and doors. This is what prevailed with Keith Rowley and the PNM after two energy booms!
 
"Keith Rowley’s PNM has built fortunes and enriched their closest friends for years on the backs, the indignity and the blood of the faithful poor and vulnerable. They rewarded loyalty with contempt, and today take pleasure in the challenges they think you face by using every conceivable way to panic you. 

"Keith Rowley and the PNM would see this country burn if they felt confident they could rule and dominate the ashes…If that is how Rowley’s PNM condemned the people who always stood by them, what could possibly make you think they will stand by you? 

"The task has always been ours to rebuild, renew and restore hope and opportunity for a secure future. It is a job I took on in 2010 and it is a job I commit myself to continue doing with another term as your Prime Minister. This is the choice you face. 

"I have promised you better jobs, better communities, more access to homes of your own, new sectors where our young people can build their professions and a good future. 

"And I have gone further to tell you how I will deliver those things, how the economy will be expanded, how investments will be made to create the space for your own homes, better jobs, more security and a secure future. 

For further information and details of all aspects of the forthcoming campaign, please visit www.kamla2015.tt

TEWARIE: PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS BEST

Planning and Sustainable Development Minister Bhoe Tewarie says private/public partnerships is one of the best ways to keep T&T's development on track.

Speaking at a UNC cottage meeting at Trinzuela College, San Fernando on Thursday night, Tewarie said the People's Partnership will continue to execute its policies once it gets a second term in office.

He told scores of supporters that the San Fernando waterfront project remains high on government's agenda adding that it will boost tourism and provide employment. Local investors will also benefit from the projects and the development of the various growth poles which will help stimulate the economy.

He also reminded the audience that government brought T&T out of a financial crisis:

"When we came into office the economy was in crisis. We had the financial crisis to manage, it was severe. Institutions were collapsing and the economy had to be managed well. The world crisis system never settled while we were in government but we managed to deal with inflation, reduce unemployment and we opened up education in this country like never before," Tewarie said.

"We have seven strategies for development and 10 flagship projects. We said we are going to have public private partnerships and we will have private sector spending in a number of projects. We cannot risk having a situation where the economy is stopped from growing. If your economy contracts, unemployment grows and scarcity occurs," Tewarie added.

He called on the citizens to continue to work with the government to achieve its objectives and added that some seats such as Arima and San Fernando West were showing victory for the UNC.

UNC candidate Raziah Ahmed also told supporters that she wanted a cleaner and more beautiful city. She said once the San Fernando waterfront project is completed, San Fernando will have opportunities for tourism and growth.

During an interactive session, one resident, Glenroy Hall, asked Ahmed to consider putting a museum in the south city as it was rich in Amerindian history.

Another resident, David Mowlah-Baksh, also asked Ahmed to consider providing better opportunities to the people on the northern side of the constituency. He explained that this group were among the poorest in the southern regions.

Ahmed vowed to devote her time to the people and said consultations will be held to discuss the museum.

ECONOMY WILL STAGNATE IF PNM WINS

Finance Minister Larry Howai says if there is a change in government, there will be a slowdown in the economy which will lead to a recession. He was speaking at a cottage meeting held at Trinzuela College, Chacon Street, San Fernando on Thursday night.
 
Throwing support for the UNC's candidate for San Fernando West Raziah Ahmed, Howai said it was important for citizens to look at the progress that the People's Partnership has made managing the economy.
 
He said when the government took office in 2010, there was negative economic growth. Under Kamla Persad-Bissessar's guidance, Howai said the People's Partnership transformed the economy.

"Our economy remains strong. Our debt to GDP level is about 44 per cent, our unemployment rate is 3.7 per cent one of the lowest in the world. Our foreign exchange reserves are strong with 12 months of import cover. Our Heritage and Stabilization Fund has grown. We have been closing the gap with our fiscal position," Howai said.

Now that energy prices have dropped, Howai added that it was important for people to make the right political choice.

"Which is the government that will manage the economy is such a way that the negative effects of the low oil prices will not affect people. If there is a change in government, there will be a slowdown of the economy," Howai predicted. 

However he added, "If the PNM gets into power and the economy starts to slow down, the effect will be that we will head into a recession."
 
"We don't want to find ourselves in a situation where the economy shuts down," Howai said. He added that government has never discriminated in the distribution of resources, noting that in the PNM strongholds of Point Fortin and La Brea, water distribution improved significantly.
 
"Point Fortin has never voted for the UNC, nor has La Brea but we increased the water supply there by one million gallons per day. We are setting up the Mitsubishi plants and real economic development has started there," Howai said. He also noted that the developments in education will transform T&T making it competitive globally.

PM KAMLA'S MESSAGE ON ROWLEY'S RECORD

Friend,

Keith Rowley says he has a record the People's Partnership "could only dream of" -- but in reality, Mr. Rowley and the PNM's record is the stuff of nightmares.

You see, Mr. Rowley is hoping that you have forgotten all the money he and the PNM wasted when they were in power -- and how they left our country in a state of decline.

We can't let people forget -- especially with less than two weeks until the election. So please watch the important video below, and then share it with your friends and family:

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=438565723000707&utm_medium=email&utm_source=kamla&utm_content=1&utm_campaign=20150825_VideoShare_TK&source=20150825_VideoShare_TK

Share on Facebook and Twitter.

If Rowley and the PNM get in power again, they'll drag our country back to the bad old days of decline and division.

Please watch our video and then share it on Facebook and Twitter.

Thank you, Team Kamla

MEDIA RELEASE: Keith Rowley’s 60 Billion Dollar Vanity Railroad

www.norowley.com

This morning (Tuesday, 25 August), UNC Campaign Manager and Candidate for Naparima, Rodney Charles, met with reporters at the Queen’s Park Savannah, to talk about the cuts Keith Rowley will make to implement his vanity railroad project.

“Keith Rowley has doubled down on building his sixty billion dollar vanity railroad,” said Mr. Charles. “Right there, on page 38, in big, bold letters under a picture of his train are the words HIGH PRIORITY. He will build it. It is his only policy. It his only priority.”
 
Keith Rowley has painted himself in to a corner and he doesn’t care. Building his railroad will mean cuts. Cuts to our healthcare, education and policing.
 
“Keith Rowley has no choice but to make cuts – where else is he going to get the money to pay for his $60 billion dollar railroad?” said Mr. Charles. “And even with all those cuts he still can’t afford his vanity railroad, which means he will have to raise VAT, too.”
 
On September 7th, voters have a clear choice: who do they think is the best Prime Minister for Trinidad and Tobago.
 
Kamla Persad-Bissessar has a plan to improve the quality of life for all our people with new investments in education, healthcare and policing. Building on the successes of the last five years to make our country safer, heathier, better educated and more prosperous.
 
“Keith Rowley has no plan and no vision to bring our people together,” said Mr. Charles. “He has one recycled idea that he refuses to back down on, no matter what it costs. We cannot afford Keith Rowley’s sixty billion dollar vanity railroad.”
 
For further information and details of all aspects of the forthcoming campaign, please visit www.norowley.com

MEDIA RELEASE: Rowley disappoints again – an hour long talk and no plan

UNC Deputy Political Leader Roodal Moonilal issued the following statement today (August 24, 2015): 

Tonight, Keith Rowley spoke with a reporter at length and failed once again to put forward any plan for Trinidad and Tobago in the next five years. Instead of using the opportunity to tell us what he would do as Prime Minister, Mr Rowley spent an hour talking about the past, not the future; and about himself, rather than the people of Trinidad and Tobago.

After more than 300 days and the release of a document entitled ‘PNM Manifesto,’ the public is still in the dark as to his ideas for the country over the next five years. In fact, Keith Rowley did not even use this opportunity to give details about his party document.

What was clear from his one-hour paid broadcast was that Keith Rowley is focused on the past and on himself, and not the future of the country, or the needs of the people.

Rowley has one policy - to build a Rapid Rail. He is intent on seeing this $60 billion dollar project to completion, but has failed to show how he plans to pay for it. The only way Keith Rowley can pay for his vanity railroad is to cut spending and increase taxes.

This election, voters have a clear choice to move forward with a leader who has a real, clear plan for the future of Trinidad and Tobago. Kamla Persad-Bissessar has a plan, which builds on the achievements made over the past five years to improve the quality of life for families in Trinidad and Tobago. She has a plan to improve our economy, continue upgrading our healthcare and education systems, and make our communities safer.

She has a plan to diversify our economy through the developments of the blue, green and silver economies, and also to decentralise which will distribute profits to all areas, while reducing the traffic congestion heading into and out of Port of Spain at peak hours.

She will keep the improvements in education and healthcare going. Over the past five years, Kamla Persad-Bissessar has taken a zero-tolerance approach to crime and this will carry on for a second mandate, with clearly established safe zones, transformational initiatives for hotspots, community policing, gang reduction and a comprehensive border security strategy.

On September 7th we must choose the side that has placed improving the lives of the people of Trinidad and Tobago at the centre of their plan. We must not select a leader who is intent on carrying out an egotistical, exorbitantly expensive, vanity project instead of focusing on what will enrich the lives of you and your children. The choice is clear, we must continue moving forward with Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s plan for people-centred development to make Trinidad and Tobago safer, healthier, better educated and more prosperous.

For further information and details of all aspects of the forthcoming campaign, please visit www.norowley.com.

For any further enquires please contact Nicholas Boodram: 788-0333

A MESSAGE FROM KAMLA PERSAD BISSESSAR

Friend,

Last week, Keith Rowley launched his manifesto -- and the choice at this election became clearer than ever.

Because his manifesto contained no content, no real policies, no plan for our country's future.

And, according to one of his own MPs, Rowley hadn't actually read the document until the day before!

A leader without a plan -- or a manifesto of any true description -- is not fit to hold office and not fit to serve the people of Trinidad and Tobago.

All Rowley has is empty promises compared to PM Kamla's record of delivery and plan for a better future. Please share the graphic below on Facebook and Twitter to let everyone know that on VAT and every important issue, while Rowley and the PNM talk, Kamla delivers.

Only a vote for Kamla’s candidates at this election can deliver a better future for our people.

Please help us get this vital message out there -- by sharing the graphic above on Facebook and Twitter, or forwarding this email to your friends and family.

Thank you,

Team Kamla

MOONILAL: STILL NO PLAN FROM KEITH ROWLEY

Roodanl Moonilal: "This sham document not a plan; it is not even Rowley’s."

Deputy Political Leader of the United National Congress, Roodal Moonilal, issued the following statement today, Thursday 20 August, 2015:
 

This supposed PNM manifesto can simply be described as too little too late.

This is not a manifesto. It is effectively a note of apology.

Keith Rowley’s party still does not have a plan. There is no vision or suggestion for a better future for Trinidad and Tobago.

It is now blatantly apparent why Rowley delayed publishing this document for so long - almost 300 days. He has deliberately delayed publication of this manifesto until the last possible moment for he knew he had to publish a document at some stage and he left it as late as could.

He did this so the public would not have time to digest its contents because he was afraid his supposed manifesto would be scrutinised. However I can tell you we will still make sure it is scrutinised. This is not a manifesto it is a glossy brochure. There is no content and no real policies. So no plan for the future only pictures and slogans.

The document he has published today, just two weeks before 7th September, is the bare minimum Rowley thought he could get away with at the last possible moment. He is insulting the intelligence of voters. How can he expect to be elected on the basis of such a flimsy document which was clearly drawn up on the back of an envelope at the last possible moment?

A leader without a plan - or a manifesto of any true description - is not fit to hold office and not fit to serve the people of Trinidad and Tobago.

The PNM has failed on competence by producing this awful document so late. They have failed on governance and accountability by not being transparent and allowing the public to scrutinise this document.

Clearly Mr. Rowley and the PNM saw it as more important to import scandal-ridden Americans to criticise Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister than to publish a fit and proper election manifesto on time. According to Colm Imbert, Rowley had not even seen the document until yesterday. So not only is this sham document not a plan; it is not even Rowley’s.

Today we have seen their negative advertising campaign attacking Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s plan for a better future. This shows their priorities. Rowley and his Party are more interested in anger, negativity and bacchanal than discussing their own plans for our country’s future. They are afraid to promote their own supposed manifesto. A manifesto which addresses the politics of the past.

In total contrast, Kamla Persad-Bissessar has shown she has a vision, mission and clear plan for the future of Trinidad and Tobago. Her policies for the future will deliver:

• more jobs

• zero tolerance on crime

• safer streets

• improved childcare

• new schools for your children

• new roads creating jobs and linking communities

• new hospitals to care for your family.

In 18 days the people of Trinidad and Tobago will decide whether they want our country to continue moving forward – or whether they want to return to a PNM dominated past they so comprehensively rejected 5 years ago.

There is a clear choice facing voters. Only Kamla Persad-Bissessar or Keith Rowley can become Prime Minister. So the choice is forwards or backwards.

Today’s sham launch of a supposed manifesto makes clear that a vote for Rowley is to take our country backwards to the bad old days of division, poor performance and decline. By producing a document with no content, he is asking the people for a blank cheque to do whatever he likes.

Only a vote for Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s candidates can deliver a better future for all our people.

For further information and details of all aspects of the forthcoming campaign, please visit www.norowley.com

Rowley imports disgraced US politicians to cover up lack of plan and support: Moonilal

Roodal Moonilal: "Two persons from the United States journeyed to Port of Spain to endorse Dr Rowley, but both individuals had allegations of corruption hanging over them."

UNC Deputy Political Leader Dr Roodal Moonilal at a press conference at the Hyatt this evening criticized PNM Leader Dr Keith Rowley for failing to produce his party’s manifesto.

“The country has been waiting for 293 days to hear what Keith Rowley’s plans for the future are; what he would do if he becomes Prime Minister,” Dr Moonilal said. “Tonight, Mr Rowley stood up and said he finally had a plan – that it was on its way. But all we heard was more of the same; more railing against his political opponents and talking about the past rather than setting out a plan to improve the lives of people in our country."

“What is increasingly apparent is that Mr Rowley has no real plan for the future. He has no idea how to take this country forward. He would divide the people of Trinidad & Tobago based on his own political self-interest and take our country backwards.

“We heard of old ideas like local government reform, you will recall that for 10 years – 2001 – 2010 the PNM pursued this, but nothing happened. And we heard of another attempt to create instability by creating joblessness with the Revenue Authority which will lead to unemployment. It is clear that he intends to raise taxes to finance that change.

Dr Moonilal called on the PNM Leader to come clean on his plans to pay for his $60 billion dollar vanity railroad project.

“It is interesting that Mr Rowley spoke of Parliamentary reform when it was the People’s Partnership Government that had the most comprehensive reform in the country’s history.

“Today out of a population of 1.3 million people, no citizen was prepared to come forward to endorse him. Two persons from the United States journeyed to Port of Spain to endorse Dr Rowley, but both individuals had allegations of corruption hanging over them. If these are the people who are here to endorse Dr Rowley, then he is in good company.

“Keith Rowley has no plan, but more than that – he lacks the vision that our country needs to take us to the next level. He wants to take us backward. Back to the days of the last time he was in government when our country was divided and our people were hurting. This is not the leadership our country needs,” he added.

Dr Moonilal noted that Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and the People’s Partnership have a plan to work together to make our country a better place to live for everyone.

“The People’s Partnership will make targeted investments in healthcare, education and public safety, and build on the achievements we have delivered over the last five years, like the lowest unemployment and the dramatic increase in fresh, clean drinking water being delivered to family homes. From 17% to 74% in just five years,” he said.

PM KAMLA SENDS INDEPENDENCE GREETINGS TO INDIA AND PAKISTAN

Sixty-eight years ago the Union Jack came down in the Far East to herald the birth of two nations, India and Pakistan, carved from the single Indian state that Great Britain considered the great jewel in its crown.

The Indian Independence Bill ended 200 years of British rule but did not end the ethnic rivalries and violence that marred the struggle for freedom from colonial domination.

We in Trinidad and Tobago, also a British colony at the time, celebrated the event with many Indian nationals who had come here from the single Indian nation as contract labourers.

By 1947, thirty years after Indentureship ended, many Indian families had adopted our country as their new home, and had started to build communities to replicate the homes they gave up in preference for a new life in the shadow of the plantations that they helped revitalize in the aftermath of slavery.

Today we are blessed to have their descendants living in harmony with others who also came here to work on plantations and together all our people have built a country of which each of us can be proud.

India and Pakistan remain home to more than one billion people and both neighbours live in harmony celebrating their people and their successes as equal members of the global community.

The art and culture of both states have influenced and enriched our country and we continue to share common goals.

On this special occasion on behalf of the government and people of Trinidad and Tobago, and on my own behalf, I extend warm Independence greetings to India and Pakistan.

Kamla drops Chadresh, Partap, Stacy, Gypsy and Cadiz

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar on Friday announced several more UNC candidates for the September 07 general election. 

She will be keeping Ramona Ramdial in Couva North and Rudranath Indarsingh in Couva South. Fazal Karim will replace Stephen Cadiz in Chaguanas East and Raziah Ahmed will be taking on Faris al Rawi in San Fernando West. 

Winston Peters has been dropped in Mayaro in favour of Roger Morales and Dr Lakhram Bodoe will replace Chandresh Sharma in Fyzabad. In Cumoto, Colin Partap will stand down to allow Christine Newallo Hosein run. 

In Tunapuna economist Wayne Munroe is the UNC candidate and in Oropouche West Stacy Roopnarine will be replaced by Vidia Guyadeen-Gopeesingh.  Campaign Manager Rodney Charles would replace Nizam Baksh in Naparima.

The UNC list:
1. Caroni East - Dr Tim Gopeesingh
2. Chaguanas East - Fazal Karim
3. Chaguanas West - Ganga Singh
4. Couva North - Ramona Ramdial
5. Couva South - Rudranath Indarsingh
6. Pointe a Pierre - Dr David Lee
7. Tabaquite - Dr Surujrattan Rambachan
8. Naparima - Rodney Charles
9. Moruga-Tableland - Clifton De Coteau
10. Oropouche East - Dr Roodal Moonilal
11. Oropouche West - Vidia Guyadeen Gopeesingh
12. Siparia - Kamla Persad Bissessar
13. Fyzabad - Dr Lakhram Bodoe
14. Mayaro - Roger Morales
15. Cumuto - Christine Newallo Hosein
16. Toco/San Grande - Brent Sancho
17. La Horquetta/Talparo - Jairam Seemungal
18. Tunupuna - Wayne Munroe
19. St Joseph - Vasant Bharath
20. San Juan/Barataria - Fuad Khan
21. Diego Martin North East - Garvin Nicholas
22. POS North/St Ann's West - Eli Zakour
23. St Anns East - Don Sylvester
24. San Fernando West - Raziah Ahmed
Caroni Central and Princes Town TBA

The full People's partnership lineup of 41 candidates will be presented on Sunday at a mass rally at the Ato Bolden Stadium in Couva. The rally begins at three in the afternoon.

The partners are the Congress of the People (COP), NJAC and The Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP). NJAC has said it will contest five seats.

Some of the COP Candidates:

1. St Augustine - Prakash Ramadhar
2. Arima - Rodger Samuel
3. D’Abadie/O’Meara - Patricia Cedeno-Metivier
4. Lopinot/Bon Air West - Lincoln Douglas
5. San Fernando East - Ashaki Scott 
6. Arouca/Maloney - Wendell Eversley
7. Diego Martin West - Avonelle Hector
8. Cleveland Garcia - POS South

The two TOP candidates are:

1. Tobago West - Natasha Second
2. Tobago East - Joseph Fredrick

AG threatens to have DPP, CoP, Integrity Commision probe Rowley on death threat allegations

AG Garvin Nicholas

"Dear Dr. Rowley

Re: Public utterances made on Sunday 9 August 2015 at Market Square, Scarborough

I note with grave concern the following public utterances made by you on a political platform at Market Square, Scarborough, on Sunday 9 August 2015:

"Lo and behold, as / speak to you now, I'm surrounded by people who you pay (that is, police) to protect me from people who will have me killed. "

'First time in Trinidad and Tobago, the Opposition Leader is under attack from the Government. And when I'm not under attack from their friends who they hire to kill me, I'm under attack from their friends who they hire to lie about me. "

As you are aware, this is a serious accusation which expressly and/or impliedly means that the Government has hired "their friends" to murder you. As the guardian of the public interest and a member of the Government, I feel compelled to seek further and better particulars about your outrageous and scandalous open-ended allegation.

Under the Constitution, the Cabinet is the executive arm of the state that is known as "the government". Section 75 of the Constitution states:

75.(1) There shall be a Cabinet for Trinidad and Tobago which shall have the general direction and control of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago and shall be collectively responsible therefor to Parliament.

(2) The Cabinet shall consist of the Prime Minister and such number of other Ministers (of whom one shall be the Attorney General), appointed in accordance with the provisions of section 76, as the Prime Minister may consider appropriate.

Where however false and baseless allegations are made with the intention of cause serious harm to the personal, professional and public life any citizen, including members of the Cabinet, no effort shall be spared to vindicate the good name and reputation enjoyed by these persons, where such is unjustifiably vilified.

Section 8 of the Libel and Defamation Act, Chap. 11:16 states:

8. If any person maliciously publishes any defamatory libel, knowing the same to be false, he is liable on conviction to imprisonment for two years and to pay such fine as the Coutt directs.

It is highly irresponsible, reckless and dangerous for someone who aspires to the Office of Prime Minister to make such inflammatory and provocative allegations without a shred of evidence. In the absence of cogent and compelling evidence to justify such dangerous public utterances, your speech must be regarded as malicious character assassination of all members of the Cabinet.

In the circumstances, I anxiously await the evidence and justification for this slanderous and libellous statement. I also invite you to share same with the Commissioner of Police and the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Should I fail to hear from you within forty-eight (48) hours, I shall assume that your statements were false and baseless and proceed to call upon the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Commissioner of Police to launch an immediate criminal investigation into your conduct.

I shall also call upon the Integrity Commission to investigate your conduct for a violation of Part IV of the Integrity in Public Life Act, Chap. 22:01 which establishes the code of conduct for public officials.

I will also refer this matter to the Council for Responsible Political Behaviour to determine if your conduct was in breach of the Code of Ethical Political Conduct.

Please be guided accordingly.

Garvin Nicholas
Attorney General"

MEDIA RELEASE: Kamla’s Plan to Expand Access to Clean Water for Families

This morning (Wednesday), Ganga Singh, Minister of Environment and Water Resources, met reporters at the Caroni Arena Water Treatment Plant, to talk about Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s plan to continue improving and expanding delivery of clean water. He toured the plant and spoke with some of the workers there about the facility.

“Over the last five years, the People’s Partnership government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Kamla Perad-Bissessar, has made significant investments to improve availability and consistency of fresh, clean water for families in Trinidad and Tobago,” said Mr. Singh.

“Over 1,000 kilometres of pipeline has helped to increase the number of homes receiving water from under 17% when we took office in 2010 to over 74% today.” This means that over 250,000 families now have access fresh water to approximately 250,000 families across the country.

Mr. Singh pledged that over the next five years, the People’s Partnership will “continue expanding the delivery of fresh water to families right across our country.” They will achieve this by laying a further 1,000 kilometres of piping, and constructing a storage reservoir at Ravine Sable to ensure families have consistent access to fresh water when they need it.

Mr. Singh closed with the commitment that, “over the next five years, we will work to make our country safer, healthier, better educated and more prosperous by building on our achievements over the last five years.”

This election is a clear choice for voters. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has a plan to make vast improvements in the delivery of public utilities for you and your families.

Keith Rowley has no plan to bring fresh, clean drinking water to families. He could not even be trusted to deliver clean drinking water for families in his community when he was in government. He will not access to clean water for families in Trinidad and Tobago.

NO PP PLOT TO HARM ROWLEY: PM KAMLA

PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar greets supporters on arrival at UNC Regional office in Claxton Bay

Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar on Tuesday night stated that no one in her pp government was involved in any plot to kill opposition leader Keith Rowley.
 
Speaking on CNMG television from Caxton Bay where she was screening candidates for the September 7 general election Mrs Persad Bissessar said the charge by Rowley was irresponsible. 

The PM also said her government has not paid anyone to write about Rowley. She said if Rowley has any evidence to support his wild claims he should take it to police. 

She also said while she and her PP coalition have presented a plan to take TT forward the pnm is yet to show that it has a plan.

Mrs Persad Bissessar added that all 41 PP candidates would be presented on Sunday at a mass rally at the Ato Bolden Stadium in Couva on Sunday starting at three in the afternoon.

MEDIA RELEASE: PM Kamla supports graduates, provides job opportunities

This morning, Fazal Karim, Minister of Tertiary Education and Skills Training, met reporters at the MIC Institute of Technology, to talk about Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s plan for advancing tertiary education and skills training, and providing job opportunities for graduates in Trinidad and Tobago. 

He was accompanied by a number of students who he had advised on how the People’s Partnership government could help them attain jobs after graduation.
 
“A good education is the foundation of success and prosperity, opening doors and helping build strong families and strong communities,” said Mr. Karim. “Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has a plan to continue making improvements to tertiary education that helps enhance the skills training and opportunities available to young people when they graduate. “
 
On September 7th, voters will be called on to make a critical choice. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has a plan to build on the achievements her administration has delivered, with new improvements to tertiary education and strengthening the economy to keep unemployment low.
 
“The People’s Partnership government has worked over the last five years to make improvements in tertiary education, to prepare young people with the skills they need for successful careers,” Mr. Karim continued, asserting that the government must continue “tailoring the programmes available to offer students opportunities for self-development, skills training and lifelong learning.”
 
In just 28 days, voters will have to choose between building a strong, prosperous economy that ensures our young people will find well-paying jobs that lead to successful careers when they are ready to enter the workforce.
Or face savage cuts that will put opportunities for young people at risk and weaken our economy – returning us to the days of high unemployment all the challenges that come with it –under a Keith Rowley government.
 
For further information and details of all aspects of the forthcoming campaign, 
 please visit www.kamla2015.tt.
For any further enquires please contact Vishal Ganessingh: 356-6673

MEDIA RELEASE - Bharath: Rowley’s claims completely false

OPPOSITION Leader Dr Keith Rowley’s latest allegation against the Government is completely false and designed to create panic.
 
This according to Communication Minister, Vasant Bharath, who dismissed claims made by Rowley while speaking on a PNM Platform in Tobago at the weekend.

Vasant Bharath

“Any situation where a politician or citizen faces a threat to his or her life is taken seriously by the Kamla Persad-Bissessar administration. Wherever such threats exist, the Government acts immediately, judiciously and with the care for life of people as our priority.” 

“Therefore to make such allegations on a public platform is not only irresponsible and deliberately contrived to create panic, it is also a demonstration of using public platforms to incite the population rather than to articulate clear plans for the future.” 

Bharath said: “The Prime Minister has consistently articulated a clear plan and vision for the future, but Dr Rowley has made allegation after allegation and when faced with difficult questions he must answer, we hear allegations such as his most recent.”  

Bharath added: “If at any time a politician believes his life to be threatened, the Government has established a reputation of responding quickly, carefully and with great care for the lives of our colleagues and fellow citizens. The nation will in fact remember that the Prime Minister acted quickly when in 2010, Dr Rowley’s former leader feared for his life and was provided with additional State security escorts.”

Bharath also stated that for any allegation of this nature to receive a serious response, they must be reported to the Police, not shouted from a political platform in the hopes of attracting public sympathy.

“Additionally, Dr Rowley already has special branch protection and if indeed there's a threat the State national security apparatus will respond as he's a high office holder. It should be noted that the Commissioner of Police and Minister of National Security have already stated that no report from the Opposition Leader of this nature has been received.”

The Communication Minister also cautioned: “We must also always remain very careful about how false allegations affect the global image and reputation of our people and nation. Politicians must stop this inclination to irresponsible and damaging behaviour and be more judicious in their public statements.”

PM Kamla launches 2015 manifesto with promise of security, prosperity and better future for all

http://www.kamla2015.tt/our-plan

Friend,

One month from today, you will decide whether we keep moving forward as a country -- or put at risk all the progress we have made since 2010.
Our country was in decline under the PNM -- but now we have more schools, more health centres, more jobs, more homes, and clean water supplies for more of our country.

And today I set out my plan for the next 5 years, with 20 clear commitments for 2020: 20 for 2020.

My plan will deliver security, prosperity and a better future for everyone in our country, with:

• Zero tolerance on crime and safer streets
• More well-paying jobs
• A good school place for every child
• A home for every family
• New roads creating jobs and linking communities
• The free healthcare you and your family need
• Clean water supplies for even more families

Read my full 20-point plan here -- and sign up to show your support.
At this election, the choice is simple: me or Keith Rowley to be your Prime Minister.
Keith Rowley has no plan for Trinidad and Tobago and would put our country’s future at risk.
But with your support, I can finish the job of building a better Trinidad and Tobago, and deliver a better future for you and your family. So please share my 20-point plan -- forward this email to your friends and family today: 
http://www.kamla2015.tt/our-plan
Thank you,
Kamla

COMMENTARY: STOP THE LIES; TALK ABOUT YOUR PLANS, ROWLEY

Isha Wells (file photo)

When Isha Wells asked Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar on TV about the $400 million that the People’s Partnership was “accused of” spending in five years I sensed a PNM setup.

What $400 billion? The PP government that Mrs. Persad-Bissessar led for five years never came close to that figure. If you add up the budget figures over the years you will get a total of $288.1 billion – and that includes the $20 billion for the Clico/HCU mess that the PNM helped create and the $9 billion outstanding for contractors who were not paid by the PNM.

It’s no surprise the question came from Wells, a well-known pro-PNM talk show host who appeared well briefed on the PNM agenda. That $400 billion figure is not new. Rowley and the PNM elite have been pushing it on their platforms, hoping that it will stick.

Rowley’s agenda is to make people believe that the PP is wasting their money. It’s a strategy to cover up his own failure to show people that he and the PNM have a plan to do better. It isn’t working. The reality is that through the UNC’s Rowley Accountability campaign people now know Rowley has no plan and no one can escape seeing the unprecedented development all over Trinidad and Tobago.

Telling lies won’t add to Rowley’s credibility. When you are off by a couple million or perhaps even a billion it’s possible that it was an error. When you are off by more than $112 billion it is a deliberate lie.

Yes, the PP government spent about $50 billion a year, but look at what the PP did with that that money! Hospitals, schools, 100,00 laptops, expanded social security benefits and pensions for all including seniors, settlement of more than 100 industrial agreements, infrastructure repair and development, expansion of 24/7 water services, thousands of new homes, a boost in the energy sector, highways, policing and an improved national security system to name a few.

And there are some very significant things about PP investments in people and the country: no cost overruns, delivery on budget and on time.

Think of how that compares to the PNM record with the Tarouba Stadium, the Scarborough hospital, chartered jets, the mega projects that Calder Hart and UDeCOTT handled under the PNM, the sub-standard projects like Las Alturas, the hundreds of HDC homes that had to be repaired before anyone could live in them and failure to pay billions to contractors. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

The PNM’s efforts to market the $400 billion lie is a statement about the party and the character of its leader, Keith Rowley. It shows how the PNM has deteriorated under Rowley from a respectable political organisation to one that has dropped to the lowest level, creating lies to try to win an election.

Every citizen should be deeply concerned about this. If a party that wants to govern Trinidad and Tobago can so boldly lie to the population when it is NOT in government what can you expect from them if they make it back to government? And it must be seen in the context of the PNM’s most recent past of wastage, cost overruns, lack of transparency and clear evidence of corruption, all of it while Rowley served as a senior cabinet minister. He himself accused his own government of being the most corrupt ever.

Telling lies has now become the hallmark of this Rowley PNM.

Now is the time to put the lies aside, do a reality check and focus on the real issues in this campaign. The choices are clear.

On one side you have a leader who has taken tough decisions, brought an economy to buoyancy through effective fiscal measures, maintained a strong social safety net while dealing with drastic drops in revenues, focused on the development of the country for the benefit of all citizens and a has a vision of prosperity for all.

On the other hand you have a man who has failed to produce any new plans, is obsessed with bringing back failed PNM polices like the $60 billion Rapid Rail and increasing his own pay, the Trinidad and Tobago Revenue Agency, the hated property tax and more. And up to now he cannot tell the people what he will do for them to improve their lives and the lives of their families.

He is known for his lies – like the emails, the election writs, the 25,000 signatures on a petition to the president, the OPV arbitration. There isn’t enough room here to list all the Rowley and PNM lies. 

While Rowley’s focus remains on lies and misinformation, Kamla can show achievements and great plans for the next five years and beyond. It’s a matter of going backwards or moving forward. Making the right choice has never been this easy. 

-Jai Parasram

PM Kamla going back as Siparia candidate; names more candidates for GE2015

A young supporter eager to meet the leader at the MNF in Charlieville

UNC political leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar on Monday announced four more candidates for the general election on September 07, 2015.
 
She will be returning as the candidate for Siparia. Dr Roodal Moonilal will be back representing Oropouche East and Dr Tim Gopeesingh will run again in Caroni East. The newcomer is Ganga Singh for Chaguanas West. Singh is not new to politics but was not a candidate in 2010.
 
Mrs Persad-Bissessar has previously announced the following:

1. Garvin Nicholas - Diego Martin North East  
2. Jairam Seemungal - La Horquetta/Talparo  
3. Clifton De Coteau - Moruga/Tableland  
4. Dr. David Lee - Pointe-a-Pierre  
5. Dr. Fuad Khan - Barataria/San Juan  
6. Brent Sancho - Toco/Manzanilla 
7. Vasant Bharath - St Joseph
8. Suruj - Tabaquite 

The party is continuing its screening exercise to be ready for Nomination Day on August 17.

Rodney Charles presents Keith Rowley’s Wheel of Misfortune

UNC Campaign Manager Rodney Charles with the Rowley Wheel of Misfortune

UNC Campaign Manager Rodney Charles visited the corner of Belmont Circular Road and Queen's Park East, Port-of-Spain Monday to talk about Keith Rowley’s leadership and the choice facing voters in the 7th September General Elections.

“We are now 35 days from the General Elections on 7th September,” said Mr. Charles. “I would like to share with a little about Keith Rowley’s decision making process.”

Revealing Keith Rowley’s Wheel of Misfortune, Mr. Charles explained that Rowley would, if elected, rely on spinning this wheel to make the critical decisions to govern the country.

Possible options include:

• “I Don’t Know”
• “Get Very Very Angry”
• “Cut Health Care”
• “Blame Someone Else”
• “Cut Education”
• “Raise VAT”

Voters are quickly learning that Keith Rowley is, as former Prime Minister Patrick

Manning described him, “completely out of control.” He is an angry, arrogant man who lacks a vision or a serious plan for Trinidad and Tobago. For 281 days, voters have waited for Rowley to make good on his commitment to make public his plans for Trinidad and Tobago.

Voters can choose between Keith Rowley, an angry, arrogant man with no vision or plan for Trinidad and Tobago.

Or, they can choose Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who has a plan and a vision for Trinidad and Tobago which will move our country forward together, making real improvements in the lives of people.

For further information and details of all aspects of the forthcoming campaign, please visit http://www.norowley.com.

For any further enquires please contact Rodney Charles: 322-1766