PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar says there is no crisis in the local economy and told nationals that her seven month-old People’s Partnership government will do everything possible to deal with the rising crime situation in Trinidad and Tobago.
In a New Year message, Prime Minister Persad Bissessar outlined some of the new plans to deal with crime that would be implemented over the next few months.
“The details of some of these measures will be made known within the upcoming weeks while others, I am sure you will appreciate, can only be seen as they are implemented,” she said, noting however that the ongoing battle against crime would be fought in a three-pronged attack — prevention, detection and conviction.
“Crime remains our major challenge, the situation was allowed to fester for so long that organised crime and gangs have become well entrenched. I appreciate citizens don’t want reasons, we all want results.
“I will stop at nothing in ensuring this scourge is removed from our society so people can walk freely and without fear once again.”
The Prime Minister said that the Attorney General’s Office has been working to bring legislation to Parliament that would support the police and the criminal justice system.
She said that the anti-gang legislation and the Bail (Amendment) Bill were now before the Parliament, “as we up the ante in several areas to attack the crime situation head on.
“Tough times require tough intervention. As a Government we do not intend to shirk from our resolve to defeat the criminals,” the Prime Minister said, adding that the Ministry of Justice has developed a policy on the matter of preliminary enquiries, which is intended to speed up the process in court while freeing up the time of judges and magistrates.
“Criminals must be brought to justice speedily and the judicial process must function efficiently and effectively,” she said.
The Prime Minister said there is no crisis of confidence in the local economy noting that her administration has been approached by local and foreign investors willing to invest billions of dollars in the oil rich twin island republic. (CMC)
