Best administration in place to handle energy challenge
“With prudent adjustments, we can withstand lower oil prices especially as the best administration is in place which has the willingness, competence and experience to overcome this challenge.” So said Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar last evening as she addressed over 400 members of the UNC’s Parliamentary arm at the Chaguanas Borough Corporation Auditorium.
The meeting was called to update MPs, Chairmen, Councillors and aldermen of various Regional Corporations, constituency executive members and party activists on the party’s legislative agenda and plans for the 2015 general election campaign.
The Prime Minister assured attendees that with the necessary adjustments and prudent management of resources, her government will continue to:
- Provide protection for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged
- Ensure the pace of private sector activity continues
- Preserve jobs and personal incomes
- Intensify efforts to make our country safer
- Maintain successful investments in education to better prepare our citizens for the knowledge driven jobs of the 21st century
- Improve the quality of healthcare
- Keep our commitment to critical infrastructure projects including schools, hospitals, the energy corridor via San Fernando to Mayaro and the housing programme.
She stressed that her address to the nation last Thursday identified the adjusted prices on which revenues will be based, the resulting shortfall and how government proposed to deal with it responsibly.
It essentially provided a conceptual framework of what priorities would be maintained, what adjustments would be made, anticipated savings such as reduced fuel subsidies and how new revenues will be generated in the form of IPOs. Elaboration of specific adjustments would have been provided subsequently by Ministers.
It was not intended to be a revised budget, which is the remit of the Minister of Finance; and would have taken over three hours, she stated
The Prime Minister challenged Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley to state what alternative policies he would have adopted to deal with the current reduced revenues. Dr. Rowley appears either unwilling or unable to articulate alternative plans and policies to take us forward relying essentially on Vision 2020 which was rejected by voters in 2010
“The PNM is no longer the party of ideas”, she stated.
She advised attendees that they must put their party and its organs in a state of readiness for whenever the election is called and stressed that based on current preparations the PP government will win this year’s election.
For further information please contact: Rodney Charles, PRO/Campaign Chair
Phone: (868) 322-1766 – email: rod_char@hotmail.com