By Sue-Ann Wayow
AS Trinidad and Tobago stands on the brink of celebrating 60 years as an independent nation, it is worse off today than it ever has been.
Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar said since 1962, under the leadership of the People’s National Movement (PNM), the foundations of the country were destroyed, including the railroad, Caroni (1975) Ltd and Petrotrin.
Speaking at the United National Congress (UNC) virtual meeting on Monday night, she said the PNM leaders were no different than the colonial leaders of the past with the worst being Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley.
Persad-Bissessar told citizens to not be fooled that the PNM led by first prime minister Dr Eric Williams actually fought for independence from Britain.
She said the British were instead shedding their empire at the time and not even fighting to keep T&T as a colony.
She compared the development of T&T to other British colonies at the time.
“You see, the PNM inherited from the British a country blessed by God with abundant natural resources, a multicultural population, living in harmony and safety. This is what the PNM inherited at the time of independence. At that time, in 1962, we were about the same GDP per capita levels as Singapore and Hong Kong. In fact, ours was slightly higher. After 60 years of Independence, we should still be on par with these countries, because Singapore is way out there in the world being blessed with so many gifts, natural resources, human resourced,” Persad-Bissessar said.
She continued, “Instead, after 50 years of PNM rule, they have wreaked havoc, they have destroyed our country, and the worst of it happened in the last seven years under Keith Rowley. And after $400 billion spent by Rowley and this Government. Today, after 60 years, where do we stand compared to Singapore and Hong Kong? Singapore GDP per capita today is $72,000 USD and Hong Kong’s GDP per capita is over $49,000 USD.”
T&T, she said, was richer than those countries but today has a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $15,000 USD per capita.
On the issue of crime and death, Persad-Bissessar said under the PNM there have been over 3,000 murders and over 4,000 Covid-19 deaths.
The UNC political leader reiterated her commitment to improving the country’s future once given a chance back into government and listed the party’s many accomplishments during their 11 years in power.
She made several suggestions for further development.
These include reducing taxes to help businesses and increasing the ease of doing business.
Persad-Bissessar also called for focus to be placed on the vulnerable in society and with the new school term about to be open next Monday, she again called for a Uniform Grant for families in need and the allowance of migrant children in the public education system.
