UNC warns of ‘terrorist attacks’ in TT

OROPOUCHE MP, Dr Roodal Moonilal, yesterday warned that Trinidad and Tobago could be vulnerable to terrorist attacks and accused the ruling People’s National Movement (PNM) of initiating “a CEPEPisation” of the local labour market. Speaking during debate on an Act to amend the Customs Act, the Opposition MP warned that terrorist elements would have a field day in Trinidad and Tobago if Government did not institute proper safeguards at the nation’s ports of entry. According to Moonilal, a British travel advisory released earlier this month urged British citizens travelling to TT “to be aware of indiscriminate terrorist attacks.” Moonilal boasted that only the UNC gave dignity to the country’s workers while the PNM’s track record on that score was “horrible”. He claimed the PNM used the promise of a $10 minimum wage “as a hoax to con the voters” and there were no plans to increase the country’s minimum wage. Moonilal also lashed out at what he claimed was Prime Minister Patrick Manning’s attempt to select a person for the post of Comptroller of Customs. He added that this post was more important than that of the Police Commissioner.

Fyzabad MP Chandresh Sharma stuck to the crime theme played by Moonilal, alleging that $30 billion in dirty money was being laundered through TT. As Sharma attempted to use the recent kidnapping of Syam Ramkissoon and CEPEP to bolster his argument, he was warned repeatedly by House Speaker Barry Sinanan to stick to the debate. The Fyzabad MP even claimed the barriers in front of the US Embassy at Marli Street were directly related to crime in TT. Throughout their respective contributions, Moonilal and Sharma were urged on by Couva South MP Kelvin Ramnath who hurled constant barbs at Government Ministers Colm Imbert and Dr Keith Rowley. Sharma found himself in the envious position of being one of the few Opposition MPs to get the Speaker’s protection when Sinanan cautioned Rowley about speaking during his contribution. However Sharma burst his own bubble, by then trying to explain the rules of Parliament. “I will interpret the rules of the House,” Sinanan told Sharma, prompting Government MPs to thump their desks vigorously in support of his statement.