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UNC calls on Opposition Leader to stop his fear campaign
Posted On 29 Oct 2014
The United National Congress is today calling on Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley to cease his campaign of inciting fear and panic in the country.
UNC Public Relations Officer Rodney Charles criticized the Opposition Leader’s statement “to give serious consideration to curbing its expenditure.”
Charles called on Dr Rowley to explain his position, and state which development programmes, in his view, should be cut.
“The People’s Partnership Government has, since coming into office, set about implementing its vision of people-centred development and achieving its goal of “Prosperity for All””, the UNC PRO said. “Which of the programmes introduced by this Government does the Opposition Leader wish to see curtailed?”
“Should the Government halt construction of new Early Childhood Care and Education Centres? Should construction of new hospitals at Penal and Point Fortin, and the Children’s Hospital in Couva be halted?” Charles asked. “What about the 50,000 families who benefit from monthly food cards?”
The UNC PRO noted, “Not only is the Opposition Leader talking about cutting programmes that people need, he has stated his intention to spend more money on a project that was soundly rejected by citizens -the rapid rail. This is a project on which the PNM already spent half a billion dollars for just a report and the conservative estimate for this project is $60 billion, based on 2009 estimates.”
The recent decline in oil prices is a matter of concern to the Government, however, as Senator the Honourable Larry Howai, Minister of Finance and the Economy has stated, there is no need for alarm at this stage, since the country currently earns more revenue from natural gas than oil. Several prominent local economists have also supported Minister Howai’s position.
“Dr Rowley knows he cannot dispute the work that this Government has done, through the leadership of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, to improve the lives of all citizens of Trinidad and Tobago, and to return the country’s economy to a path of growth and stability,” Charles said.
“Instead of presenting the population with a vision and plan for the development of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr Rowley has chosen to continue down this path of trying to create panic, and fear,” Charles said. “This is unacceptable, and we urge the Opposition Leader to cease his attempts to mislead the population.”
