By Sue-Ann Wayow
NO one is safe in Trinidad and Tobago.
This was the statement made by Member of Parliament for Barataria/San Juan Saddam Hosein on Sunday.
Speaking during the Opposition’s press briefing, Hosein said crime continued to be the most troubling issue facing citizens.
He knocked Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley who is the head of the National Security Council for not doing his job, Hosein claims.
With murders crossing over 420, the MP said crime has “reached one of the highest heights we have ever seen.”
He mentioned two shootings at Sangre Grande and Caroni last week, where three children between the ages of three and eight were victims.
Hosein said, “This is the result of seven years of mismanagement and incompetence by the Prime Minister who sits as head of the National Security Council.”
“No one is safe in T&T,” he stated.
The Government led by Dr Rowley, had no plan to reduce the crime rate, Hosein said.
Dr Rowley had previously said there were enough laws to fight crime, government was not isolated in the fight and the issue of crime was deeper than just violence.
He had also declared crime a public health issue.
However, Hosein said, “We have enough laws on the books. What we need are the resources. What we need are the skills. What we need are the strategies. What we need is a plan in order to tackle this runaway situation of crime.”
To Dr Rowley he said, “Seven years later, you now realise that crime cannot be fought with laws alone. You need to resource the police, you need to help the DPP’s office. You need to resource the judiciary. You need to properly resource and function all various arms of the National Security Council.”
Hosein added, “But what we have seen over the past seven years is a politicization of independent institutions in charge of national security.”
He also alleged that intelligence apparatus was also being used for political gain.
