PM Kamla Speaking Notes Manifesto 2015 Launch
VISION
One month from today 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 in 2010.
Today I am laying out my vision for the next five years of a People’s Partnership government.
In 2010 under a PNM Government Trinidad and Tobago was in decline with thousands unemployed and families struggling to make ends meet;
People were actually fleeing the country with murder and violent crimes at record levels; and corruption was high.
For too long PNM politicians had ignored voters’ wishes and acted out of self-interest.
My government has turned this around and delivered stability and progress.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Trinidad and Tobago now rides high in international happiness tables because we have delivered over:
- 100 new schools
- Refurbished or built over 100 new health centres
- Created 56,000 new jobs and over 11,000 business in the last two years
- Brought clean water supplies to 70% of the population
- And constructed hundreds of new roads and thousands of new homes.
I’m working to build a new and better Trinidad and Tobago.
MANIFESTO
Today I’m proud to launch this manifesto.
My clear plan is to deliver security, prosperity and a better future for everyone.
I say directly to the people of Trinidad and Tobago that the polices contained within this manifesto will deliver;
- More jobs
- Zero tolerance on crime
- Safer streets
- Improved childcare
- New schools for your children
- New roads creating jobs and linking communities
- And new hospitals to care for your family.
Going forward we will make a dedicated effort to further diversify our economy to create jobs and promote growth.
To improve people’s lives.
ECONOMY
We have a clear economic plan.
We have already made Trinidad and Tobago an economic powerhouse of the region.
By 2020 we will double the export of locally manufactured products and we will increase employment in manufacturing by 50 per cent.
Strong regional economic centres called growth poles will be created in key areas of Trinidad and Tobago to create jobs.
As I have outlined in recent speeches the Green Economy in Trinidad and Tobago will be developed creating jobs, new businesses and economic growth.
The Blue Economy will be developed helping the coastal communities of Trinidad and Tobago rely on their aquatic resources for their survival.
We will also develop the Silver Economy to benefit our older citizens and stimulate our economy as a whole.
NATIONAL SECURITY
Crime concerns me.
I want our families and their children to be safe.
I am committed to ridding our country of the blight of crime and to ensuring law and order.
Crime and law and order remain the number one issue facing our country and this is our top priority for our second term in office.
I will take a zero tolerance approach to crime.
Let me repeat that: A zero tolerance approach to crime.
In our next term in Office, we will continue the emphasis on more effective law enforcement, policing and border control.
We will also strengthen surveillance and control of our territorial borders to stem the illegal entry of goods and people.
HEALTH
The health of our nation is so important.
We have a strong conviction that no person should ever have to worry about their healthcare.
We will provide improved free care at our 105 health centres across the country and at our hospitals for all pregnant mothers, babies and infants so that our children get the best possible start in life.
EDUCATION & CHILDREN
Education is the key to unlocking the potential in all our children.
I am so proud that my government introduced the Children’s Life Fund and the Baby Grant which have both made such a difference.
Looking after our nation’s children is vital and helps hard working parents.
We will provide a place for every child at early childhood level, at primary and at secondary school.
We will improve the quality of education for all in our country, school by school.
We will develop and roll out a Comprehensive School Curriculum from the pre-primary to secondary education level.
I make this promise.
Till the day my life is through I will give every breath that I breathe and every sinew of my body to ensure that our children do get to live in the best home we can create for them.
HOUSING
My plan to help every family who needs a home includes more and better jobs, squatter regularisation, land for the landless, low cost mortgages and home acquisition supported by HDC.
We are committed to economic justice through widespread land ownership, home ownership and share ownership.
My plan is to create better homes for every family.
TRANSPORT & INFRASTRUCTURE
Improving infrastructure and building roads connects our people, stimulates our economy and improves lives.
My government has constructed roads, drains, sidewalks, bridges, community centres and fixed landslips.
We will continue to link communities by building the Point Fortin Highway to San Fernando and Fyzabad, San Fernando to Mayaro Highway and the Port of Spain to Chaguaramas Highway/ Causeway.
We will alleviate traffic problems.
Transit Hubs will be constructed in Chaguanas, Arima and St Augustine.
Dedicated School Bus Transportation and dedicated Bus Services for Industrial Estate Workers will be developed.
Two dedicated, predictable Bus Rapid Transit Systems from North to South and East to West will be introduced.
TOURISM
We will deliver major flagship projects such as the establishment of Dry-docking facilities in La Brea, a medical tourism hospital in the East-West Corridor, The San Fernando Waterfront Development Project and the Mayaro Hotel Tourism project.
ICT
We are committed to the continuing development of a comprehensive broadband network.
This will connect our communities too, lower business costs and boost knowledge.
EQUALITY
I’m proud to be the first female Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago.
We will address the issue of equal pay for equal work by men and women.
WATER
Clean water supplies are vital.
We have brought clean water supplies to 70 per cent of the population and will continue the development of water supplies with the construction of another 1000 kilometres of pipeline.
SPORT
Sport transforms and improves lives.
We will transform the Tarouba facility into the Tarouba Sport Academy.
PROCUREMENT
Finally we will ensure good governance through Procurement reform, an enlightened political party financing regime, free and fair elections and strong, independent institutions.
CONCLUSION
In this election there is a crucial choice for voters as only two people can become Prime Minister.
I have shown I am a strong unifying leader working through a plan.
I need more time to finish the job to change Trinidad and Tobago and secure a better future.
In stark contrast my opponent Keith Rowley is a divisive and angry man without a plan, who will act out of self-interest and put this progress at risk.
He will waste the progress we’ve made in the last five years and take the country backwards.
In stark contrast Keith Rowley won’t tell you what he is going to cut only that he will make savage spending cuts.
Will he cut funding for your children’s schools or healthcare for your elderly relatives?
Or is he going to put our nation’s security at risk as he cuts police resources in fighting crime or customs’ resources as they protect our borders?
We can continue to build a better Trinidad & Tobago by keeping our economy on track;
Continuing to invest in education and training to help people get better jobs.
Taking a zero tolerance approach to crime, so people feel safe and protected.
Delivering quality healthcare
And building crucial infrastructure to link our communities and improve lives.
So I urge all our citizens to vote for strong and stable government and to secure yours and your family’s future.
THE HONOURABLE KAMLA PERSAD-BISSESSAR, SC
PRIME MINISTER OF TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
POLITICAL LEADER OF THE UNITED NATIONAL CONGRESS
LEADER OF THE PEOPLE’S PARTNERSHIP
LAUNCH OF GENERAL ELECTION MANIFESTO 2015
7TH AUGUST 2015
ARANGUEZ NORTH SECONDARY SCHOOL
[CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY]
A very good plan for the next five years. I see a bright future for my children & grand children. What l would like to also see, is a comprehensive plan for smooth movement of traffic in all the built up areas in T & T. I have such a plan for the St Augustine & Tunapuna areas, but I am not computer literate. Contact me at the above e-mail address and I will gladdly discuss my plan with the policy makers.