‘Brain drain’ disturbs Dookeran

United National Congress Political Leader Winston Dookeran has stated that political will, and not only the passage of new legislation, was also needed to effectively curb the escalating crime wave. Dookeran, who was part of a three-member team from the Opposition party, recently concluded bipartisan discussions with members of the Manning Administration aimed at finding ways to tackle rising crime which has already surpassed last year’s murder rate. At Friday’s sitting of Parliament, Prime Minister Patrick Manning, outlined ten legislative measures including the establishment of a Special Gun and Kidnapping Court and Amendments to the Bail Act.

However, addressing a breakfast seminar yesterday at the Barrackpore Islamic Centre, Rochard Douglas Road, Barrackpore, Dookeran said, “Brain drain is one of the most vexing problems facing our country within recent times as a new exodus of graduates seeking opportunities abroad leave our country.” He said past political leaderships had not placed enough emphasis on the future development of the nation saying the breakdown of civic society was also a contributing factor in the crime situation. Opposition leader, Basdeo Panday, who was also listed to address the seminar, was unable to due to illness.