Manning must be National Security Minister

PRIME MINISTER Patrick Manning must assume the role of National Security Minister if crime in Trinidad and Tobago is to be brought under control. This was the call issued yesterday by the San Juan Business Association (SJBA). In a statement, the SJBA declared, “The continuing escalation of crime has become intolerable and this matter now seems to require direct Prime Minister-ial intervention in order to effectively utilise all of the resources of the State to bring a halt to this scourge.” “As such, the SJBA is calling on the Prime Minister in a first step to assume direct responsibility as Minister of National Security which will allow him the ability to directly engage the facts and devise strategies in an intimate capacity.

Decisive action is requried and we are calling on the Prime Minister to take it,” the Association stated. Explaining that the time to cast aspersions or lay blame has past, the SJBA lamented: “Based on the dynamics of local politics, it is not realistic to expect cooperation between the Government and Opposition on the many urgent issues facing society.” The Association however pointed out that “the duty of the Government to take any steps within the law to ensure that the national interests are protected at all times.” The SJBA claimed that crime in TT has reached a point where “we are made to constantly look over our shoulders, fearful that our turn will be next.”