Our country cannot survive much more of this incompetence and mismanagement

The Editor:

The Keith Rowley administration will go down in history as the most incompetent and destructive government this country has seen in recent years. The single distinguishing feature of this administration is its arrogance and its unwillingness to accept that their blunders are costing this country billions of dollars and ruining our international reputation.

During the two and a half years this Government has been in power we have seen not only an increase in the number of murders, but a total breakdown in law and order. We are at a point where no one feels safe. The Government’s only proposals to date have been legislative measures. First, it was – the SSA Amendment will save us, then the Bail Amendment and now Anti-Gang. They are using our genuine fear for our safety and security to try to get us to give up our fundamental rights.

The Opposition has taken the position that yes, something needs to be done, however; it can be done in a responsible and reasonable fashion that would not trample over the rights of innocent citizens. Instead of working within these logical parameters the Attorney General has chosen to bring legislation by tactics, finding ways to pass laws only requiring PNM votes in the Parliament. While this may be politically expedient and allow them to falsely claim achievements, will it actually benefit any one? The simple answer is no.

As citizens, we live constantly under the threat of becoming the next victim or statistic, all the while seeing our nation being put on various watch lists and black lists and several countries issuing travel advisories warning their citizens not to come here.

Instead of treating with the problem, Rowley has chosen a mixture of denial and dismissal. First, we deny we have a problem- first he said we don’t have a terrorist problem here, then he switched that to “we do have a problem but it’s very small”, and now it’s that he can’t stop countries from issuing advisories.

It’s been two and a half years and Rowley still hasn’t figured out what his job description is yet. Meanwhile, our economy is in shambles, we have seen declines in every sector, and now when you factor in coastal erosion and landslips our country is literally and figuratively collapsing.

And while all of this is happening, Rowley once again shows why he is unfit to lead. In the face of mounting problems, he returns Ms Marlene McDonald to the cabinet saying once and for all, he does not care about accountability or transparency; they will do as they please because they are in charge.

This arrogant and tone-deaf style of governance cannot continue. Our country cannot survive much more of this mismanagement. The total disregard for public scrutiny and accountability has alienated us all from a government that claimed it would represent our interest.

Anita Haynes
Public Relations Officer for the UNC