Local Govt elections Nov 28

He explained that one of the main considerations of having the elections as quickly as possible is for the country to focus on the business of coping with its challenges and get the question of elections ups and downs and distractions out of the way before the new year. “That way we will be able to focus very specifically and un-distractedly on the development programmes which we hope would be in full gear going into the new year and allow us to make our best efforts to bring about economic growth and face down this persistent criminal onslaught.” On the question of Local Government reform Rowley pointed out that it formed part of the People’s National Movement (PNM) manifesto and Local Government Minister Franklin Khan has spent the last year conducting a number of public consultations on this issue. He said that input from the public “has been digested” and the legal framework for drafting of legislation to capture what the new Local Government arrangement would be, “is very much ongoing”.

He noted that for those who were in Local Government office their term has come to an end and the Government had expressed a commitment that they would not postpone Local Government elections. He said that they will work towards introducing new Local Government operations into the next term and will have the legislation go through the Parliament.

“Hopefully it will be passed successfully and then we’ll prepare and execute this program of Local Government reform which is quite wide ranging and exciting as we go forward,” he said.

He stressed that the calling of elections in no way obstructs this “but in fact advances the process”.

Asked about Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar saying that the election would be in December Rowley responded “the calling of elections in Trinidad and Tobago is a matter for the Prime Minister and not the Opposition Leader”.

He said that the elections could have been delayed for 90 days into January but there are other considerations including the Tobago House of Assembly elections which is also due.

He added that the new fiscal year started October 1 “and we are going through a very challenging period in managing the country’s finances”.

He said that the recent budget has “substantial downward pressure” and there are issues in the energy sector and trying to maintain and create employment.

Commenting briefly on the strike yesterday by the OWTU, Rowley said any disruption in the labour force in the private or public sector, “would be of concern” and especially in the area of Petrotrin, where the country’s national revenues could be negatively impacted.

He said it appears to be a problem within the operations of the company and “hopefully I expect that that kind of thing can be dealt with so that it doesn’t cause any disruption to production and revenue earning stream”.