Kamla: Government is not working

“I rolled up my sleeves on the first day and started the process of turning this country around,” she said.

Persad-Bissessar said if the revised figures presented by Finance Minister Colm Imbert in the midyear review are correct, the Government collected more than $60 billion in revenue since it assumed office last September.

She questioned why the ruling People’s National Movement (PNM) has not done more to turn around the economy, if there is US$5.3 billion in the Heritage and Stabilisation Fund and US$10 billion in foreign exchange reserves.

While she agreed with Rowley there is a natural gas shortage that is impacting the economy, Persad-Bissessar said the former People’s Partnership (PP) government,” took action to increase natural gas production by changing the related laws 14 times to provide incentives to companies to invest and drill.” Saying the PP had a plan for governance during its tenure, Persad-Bissessar stated, “We recognised that we faced challenges and we recognised that we had to be innovative in dealing with these challenges.” She warned Rowley that, “all the money in the world won’t solve problems if you have no plan, initiative or imagination.” Persad-Bissessar said while adjustments must be made in light of the country’s economic challenges, “we must protect the working poor and provide opportunities to diversify and build our economy.” She advised citizens, “if the Government is not working for you, then they are working against you.” Persad-Bissessar claimed the $20 billion debt facing State oil Petrotrin is the result of decisions made by former chairman Malcolm Jones and incumbent chairman Andrew Jupiter, when he was a board member under Jones.

She noted that Jupiter was awarded a Chaconia Medal Gold at this year’s National Awards Ceremony.

Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal described Rowley’s address as “a weapon of mass distraction from urgent and critical national issues.”