TTMA calls for unity in crime war

THE Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers Association (TTMA) yesterday thanked Prime Minister Patrick Manning for advancing Government’s “Plan B” anti-crime strategy and said all citizens must join Government in the war against the criminals. In an address to the nation on Wednesday, the Prime Minister outlined a multifaceted strategy which Government intends to pursue in its war against crime. Among the new initiatives listed by Manning were increased vigilance at TT’s airports and seaports, sustained field operations by the security forces, tough anti-crime legislation, improved intelligence to deal with kidnappers and the revamping of 15 social sector programmes to address the social dimensions of crime.

TTMA president Anthony Aboud said the Prime Minister put the crime situation in TT into perspective and the TTMA agreed with Manning’s diagnosis of the root causes of crime. He added that the business community stood ready to play its part in the war against crime and urged all citizens to do the same. “We all own this problem. We are all on the side of TT,” he declared. The TTMA president revealed that the business community has been holding discussions on the Police Reform Bills and intends to advance new perspectives on the legislation to the Government, the Opposition and the Independent Senators because these bills should not be allowed to fall by the wayside.