Radar coverage over TT by end of Sept

This was announced yesterday by Prime Minister Patrick Manning who said the radar will also allow local law enforcement a view of the coastline of Venezuela, as well as other nearby countries.

In addition, Government has put out tenders for three Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) which will be deployed in TT’s exclusive economic zone, as well as six fast patrol vessels for inshore waters and four armed helicopters. The OPVs will be large with "helicopter capabilities," he said.

"As we make things difficult for them here, they will go elsewhere," Manning said. "We will completely eradicate the drug trade."

Manning made the announcement of his Government’s latest crime-fighting strategies during a session of the ruling People’s National Movement (PNM) "Reporting to the People" at the Success Laventille Secondary School.

Speaking in one of the most heavily crime-infested communities in the country, he told the gathering of mainly PNM supporters: "The bulk of the murders in the country today are as a result of gang warfare based on the drug trade. Therefore, it is to the eradication of the drug trade that the Government of Trinidad and Tobago has turned its attention."

Manning said Scotland Yard had advised the Government back in 1994 that TT is small enough to completely eradicate the drug trade.

Referring to "challenges within the Police Service," the Prime Minister expressed the view that the majority of police officers are honest, upright citizens. However, he conceded that there is a "small minority" that had to be dealt with.

Manning reminded the gathering that when his administration went to the Parliament with legislation to deal with the problems within the Police service, the Opposition refused to Support the measures.

"Had they agreed to that legislation when they should have agreed to it in 2001, we would not be in the position we in today.

"We would have had a disciplinary mechanism for the Police Service, we are would have had a mechanism for properly promoting police officers and for training them and for entrance into the Police Service, which would have made a big difference to the way the Police Service conducts business," the Prime Minister said.

"Basdeo Panday and the UNC will go down in the history of this country as the ultimate destroyers of Trinidad and Tobago.

"That is what they want but let me assure you it will never happen. It will never happen as long as there is a People’s National Movement in Trinidad and Tobago."

On the issue of criminal activity within the Unemployment Relief Programme (URP), Manning declared that his Government would not allow the programme to be controlled by criminal elements and it was working to end all such activity.