Kamla: Rowley continues to show that he is unfit to lead Trinidad and Tobago
Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar, SC, MP, has described the Prime Minister’s dismissal of Marlene McDonald as “yet another episode in the unraveling saga of the Rowley Government”.
The Opposition Leader issued the following statement:
This latest debacle in the Rowley Government is yet another example of the questionable judgement of the Prime Minister and demonstrates his unfitness for office.
Rowley continues to demonstrate poor leadership and judgment, and the latest events surrounding the re-appointment of Marlene McDonald and her dismissal in the space of just three days shows that he is ill-suited for the job of Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago.
The problems Rowley now faces within his Cabinet are because of his lack of vision, leadership and judgement when choosing these individuals.
The Prime Minister restored Ms McDonald to ministerial office even as she was under active investigation by both the Integrity Commission and the police and whilst concerns continued to be expressed about her fitness for office. It appears that nothing has changed since Ms McDonald was removed as a Minister and the Prime Minister should have already known his MP had questionable associations.
The re-appointment of Ms McDonald highlighted the absence of capable and skilled personnel available to the Prime Minister.
It took just three days for the Prime Minister’s reshuffle to be confirmed as a misdeal. I expect that in the coming days, more questions will be raised regarding the prudence of other choices the Prime Minister made during his cabinet reshuffle and appointments.
This further unmasks the Rowley-led Government as inept.
For her part, Ms McDonald took to her swearing in ceremony at President’s House someone who is well known to the police and did so in breach of protocol and established rules.
This took place while the country remains besieged by violent crimes, including the horrific murder of a schoolchild and the alleged sexual assault of a 12-year-old girl.
It is increasingly evident that the Rowley regime has collapsed in office because of the Prime Minister’s incompetence as a leader, which is highlighted by his lack of skill, compassion and commitment to take Trinidad and Tobago out of its current critical state.
The Prime Minister should understand that the country has lost patience with his incompetence and should now remove himself from office and seek a fresh mandate.
Kamla Persad-Bissessar, SC, MP
2nd July, 2017