UNC Chairman Lee – “Is completion of Tarouba Stadium more priority than education, safety and well-being of citizens?”
As Chairman of the United National Congress it is my view that the recent statements of support made by the Minister of Trade and Industry Paula Gopee Scoon on the completion of the Tarouba Stadium as opposed to the completion of schools and other public institutions are ironic, inapt and insulting to our nation’s Taxpayers.
It was rather unfortunate that while addressing the Economic Forum held by the Penal Debe Chamber of Commerce, the Minister confidently reiterated Governments commitment to the Completion of the Brian Lara Stadium but could not offer a similar response or view when questioned on the completion of the of the denominational colleges in Penal such as Shiva Boys’ and Parbatee Girls College, the UWI South Campus, the sporting complex, fire station and highway project by the President of the Chamber.
Therefore I pose the following Question to the Government “Is the completion of the Tarouba Stadium more of a priority than the education, safety and well-being of our nation’s citizens?”
The Prime Minister has stated many times that Government’s main Priorities are education, national security and healthcare, however the actions of the Government coupled with their Policies contradict this notion. Our nation has consistently regressed in the past six months with issues such as; Schools and educational institutions remaining incomplete , the textbook and laptop programs being cancelled, Government’s objection to opening the Children’s Hospital while other Hospitals face a shortage of medicine and crime continues to escalate in the absence of a clear pungent plan.
As the Mid-Year Budget Review approaches, falling revenues as a consequence of energy prices warrants prudent fiscal management as well as efficient utilization of resources on the part of the Government. Therefore the resources needed for the completion of the Tarouba Stadium can be more feasibly used to impact on infrastructural development and programs key to the education, safety and well-being of our citizens.