By Sue-Ann Wayow
IF Trinidad and Tobago’s economy continues on a downward trend, a repeat of the economic crisis in the 1980s could possibly occur.
This is the opinion of Opposition MP Rushton Paray.
He said this year, government needed to put strategic plans in place in order to change the situation to a positive direction.
Paray was speaking at Opposition’s weekly press briefing on Sunday.
“With the Government’s continued failure to outline a clear plan to deal with inflation as well as with the erosion of independent voices at the Central Bank, our nation is now facing the real and frightening prospect of the worst cost of living crisis in our history,” he said.
Paray said with the proposed increase in utility rates, that would propel persons already financially burdened into more poverty.
He said many small and medium-sized businesses may actually be “turning their lights off” as a result.
“Government may feel that are creating more revenue but the reality is that hundreds of thousands of people in this country will not be able their way when the lights go up,” Paray said.
The Opposition’s shadow minister of trade and industry also said that never in the region has there been a hike of 65% in electricity rate for residential customers and 120% for commercial and industrial users.
This would have a domino effect on the price of goods from supermarkets and factories, Paray said.
“Their cost is going to rise and that cost is going to be transferred to you, the customer,” he told his audience.
The proposed property tax will also do no good to alleviate the situation.
Paray said, “These rate increases are being imposed while Trinidad and Tobago is undergoing its worst economic and social crisis since the mid-1980s.”
He added, “Sadly I fear history is about to repeat itself. Today, the economic disaster is equally grave, and the reason is similar, gross mishandling of the economy by the PNM regime.”
Revisit Selwyn Ryan Report
Paray also blamed Government for the crime situation.
“We strongly urge the Government to examine the root causes of crime and to implement measures to move our at-risk youths away from lawlessness; and they must revisit the Selwyn Ryan study on crime. The matter of leadership of the Police Service must be settled, and the service must be provided with an essential crime-fighting kit, including modern intelligence-gathering, operational CCTV cameras, and border patrol facilities,” he said.
Paray said, “Prison reform, speeding up the performance of the judiciary, the police disciplinary procedures, and youth remedial systems must be among a package to be implemented within three months.”
Opposition Senator Wade Mark also asked of Acting Commissioner of Police Erla Christopher if she was carded to take up position of top cop.
Christopher has been acting in place of McDonald Jacob who proceeded on 35 days of vacation last year. Jacob is expected to return to duties this week.
Mark told Christpher, “It has been rumoured and I want clarification from you, that the Government has given you an undertaking as acting Commissioner of Police to make you Commissioner of Police– and you have been given the keys to the residence of the Commissioner of Police.”
Member of Parliament for Tabaquite Anita Haynes also spoke at the press conference.
