PM meets with businessmen... again

Amidst a protest held outside Whitehall by a small group of citizens concerned about the state of crime in the country, members of the local business community held their second meeting with Prime Minister Patrick Manning, Minister of National Security Howard Chin Lee and Acting Commissioner of Police, Everald Snaggs.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, President of the TT Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA), Anthony Hosang, revealed that they had brought their concerns and a number of proposals before the Prime Minister and now were “absolutely certain” that he was well appraised of the situation. He noted that the Commissioner had outlined a number of planned strategies which he is to present at a meeting today. “We feel that the Commissioner has his head on and that the strategies will address many of the problems we are facing presently,” Hosang stated. He maintained that the business community was satisfied with the outcome of the meeting and said that they had been “graciously received” by the Prime Minister at very short notice, which augured well for the future. When questioned as to whether the business community had listed the removal of Howard Chin Lee from his position as Minister of National Security, Hosang replied that this was not for them to decide. “We are not crime specialists. We are business people, we have our businesses to run and the decisions and strategies adopted have to be decided by the National Security team,” he asserted. Hosang said, “We all have to work closely. Not every plan or strategy may work, but we have to be proactive, work with the government and keep on trying. However, the situation demands that the proposals be implemented with an air of urgency.”

Prime Minister Manning described the discussions with the businessmen as fruitful as he addressed members of the media after the meeting. However, he was reluctant to divulge any more information on the matter, stating instead that the Commissioner of Police would make a statement at his conference today. He, however, assured the public of the Government’s commitment to returning TT to acceptable levels of security. “We understand and appreciate that a difficult situation is facing all of us at this time,” he said, adding, “the Government is confident that we can and will overcome it.” Manning allayed fears that there would be a state of emergency, noting that he did not think it was needed or that it would have the effect expected by people. “The state of security in TT is relative to the state of security in other countries and while we are in a situation here that we do not consider acceptable, we are far better off than other countries,” he said.