‘Daylight robberies, home invasions, murders, gang-related activity are all now synonymous with life in Trinidad and Tobago just as we would speak of doubles and bake and shark’ – MP for Chaguanas West Dinesh Rambally
By Sue-Ann Wayow
A SHAMEFUL and unholy record.
That was how Member of Parliament for Chaguanas West Dinesh Rambally described the 600 plus murder rate for 2022.
With 274 murders already for 2023, Rambally, in Parliament on Friday, continued his contribution in the private member motion of no-confidence in Minister of National Security Fitzgerald Hinds brought by his colleague MP for Barataria/San Juan Saddam Hosein.
Rambally said that the motion was brought not because of a personal dislike for Hinds or to discredit his qualifications, credentials or even competency but because of a lack of accountability.
He said, “Last year there were over 600 murders recorded in our country. That’s a shameful and unholy record in our history. Daylight robberies, home invasions, murders, gang-related activity are all now synonymous with life in Trinidad and Tobago just as we would speak of doubles and bake and shark.”
While citizens do not expect Hinds to solve murders himself, they expect him and the government, he is a part of, to implement strategies and policies to save lives, the MP said.
“If the Minister of National Security no longer feel the need to stand in this House to be accountable to the people who employ them, then we all might as well close down Madam Speaker and I say so respectfully, this House and go home. The theme is accountability,” Rambally said.
“Instead of trying to win over public trust, instead of outlining plans and proposals, to reassure the public that the government will keep them safe, what you have is a Minister of National Security starting the job, blaming the majority of the population and cynically suggesting that they want to see him fail,” he added.
Rambally said relatives of victims who died as a result of crime and persons who were victims of crime themselves were frustrated and angry and they feel helpless about the entire situation.
“They simply want a Minister of National Security who can do the job,” he said.
In his contribution, Rambally referred to an article published in the UK Guardian on June 16,on Trinidad and Tobago’s crime situation with comments from local citizens.
Listing the names of women who were murdered in recent years, he said they must never be forgotten, as he spoke about crimes against women and girls.
And Rambally also said the regional crime symposium was still yet to have a tangible action by resolution or bill before the Parliament.
Member of Parliament for La Horquetta/Talparo Foster Cummings followed Rambally and said that the Opposition was simply collapsing upon itself.
Cummings contribution focused on the impact of youth on crime as statistics show that the majority of perpetrators were young persons.
He said many struggled in their development and lured into a life of crime by experienced criminals and focus should be made into steering them away from that life.
