Unfair to target Martin Joseph

Everyone in Trinidad and Tobago ought to be aware the main reasons for the crime pandemic this country has been experiencing over the last few years. It did not occur overnight and indeed it couldn’t be solved overnight.

What we know is that given Minister Joseph’s track record our Prime Minister could not have made a better choice. Perhaps this country needs to be reminded of some of the highlights of Mr Joseph’s record of effective performance:

1 He was the architect of the People’s National Movement’s victory in the general elections of 2002;

2 In his first portfolio as Minister of Public Utilities and the Environment the country saw the advent of the phenomenally successful Community Enhancement Programme and Environmental Protection (CEPEP), despite criticisms from the opposition and similar un-civic minded individuals and organisations (obviously for other selfish reasons): and

3 When he served as Housing Minister, he developed the Master Plan that would enable the People’s National Movement to fulfill its mandate of ensuring the provision of 10,000 housing units per year over the ensuing five years.

The executive of the PNM Point Fortin Constituency and our Member of Parliament fully support Minister Joseph’s efforts to deal with the cancerous roots of this crime scourge, which has been plaguing our country and causing some grief and disruptions to our normal lifestyle.

We are confident that Trinidad and Tobago will shortly see the effects of his managerial skills, with the reduction of crime.

We also encourage all and sundry to support the Minister’s efforts — he cannot do it alone.

He needs the support of all of us.

We must send a strong message to the criminal elements out there.

R SMART

for Executive, PNM Point Fortin Constituency