Despite the badboy behaviour among some Government MPs—the usual suspects—in Parliament yesterday, Prime Minister Keith Rowley escaped making the list after being almost three hours late to answer questions he was required by Parliament’s Standing Orders to reply on, concerning national issues.
Rowley was “unavoidably detained” at a funeral, said Government Lower House leader Colm Imbert, deferring the replies to a later time. Which turned out to be much later. But the Opposition wasn’t buying it.
“Who’s playing golf with the Prime Minister next week?” interjected UNC MP Rudy Indarsingh about Government’s upcoming retreat at Magdalena Beach and Golf Resort.
Whatever the retreat’s agenda, hopefully it will not have to include a refresher on how to avoid showing contempt for Parliament, its Orders and the population whose interest is sought via questions presented to the Government and its leader, in T&T’s highest forum.
But the retreat will likely focus on wider matters. When Rowley said recently his Government had done “reasonably well” (but there’s “always room for improvement”) Ministers, particularly those in “hotspot” ministries might have winced. All are by now well aware of what could rise up and “eat” the administration—as one Minister said recently—if they fail to get it right amid the tightrope of increased financial constraints and increasing lack of restraint in crime, with emerging challenges in schools.
With the exception of the experienced few, ministers’ low profiles might also led to questions on skill in respective portfolios and synchronisation may be necessary in other respects. Soon after Rowley referred to deviant children as “monsters”—a personal view, leadership language should have tempered—Social Development Cherrie Ann Crichlow Cockburn reportedly said otherwise, referencing such children.
While Government is still in review period, low activity has prompted concern whether Government has been challenged by more than finances and oil prices. With many government appointees emerging more as professional faces than party supporters, PNM’s leadership has also recognised supporters’ “rumblings” over lack of action on their end. The leadership has mandated a fact finding team to gauge members’ views, it was confirmed.
The hierarchy wants to know if MPs/senators/councillors/co-ordinators are conveying correct information on the state of constituencies, PNM officials said, adding that questions being asked include “What is your relationship with the MP/councillor etc.”
The team so far visited Toco/Sangre Grande, San Fernando East/West and Oropouche seats. On Monday members met the four southern units. Feedback from the six meetings is, “people are unhappy since they haven’t yet gotten jobs” and want URP/Cepep opportunities.
One PNMite said, “They’re prepared to wait—but not over a year. It’s been six months and they haven’t seen anything “happening.” They see PP people still in URP/Cepep. Contractors are getting impatient especially since local government polls are in October and we’ll need support,”
San Fernando PNMites said the team was told “the ground is rumbling” and “nothing was trickling down to the small man.” They noted PP’s Cepep contracts were for three years and waiting for this could feed a party frenzy.
The team includes executive members Indar Parasram, Ashton Forde, Foster Cummings and others. Next stop is Port-of-Spain/Laventille, plus 20 more constituencies. Research will be complete by PNM’s April special convention to assume local government election footing. Reports on findings so far will be given at today’s PNM General Council, officials said.
Following such feedback, on Thursday Government approved an economic stimulus programme comprising the promised Valencia/Toco Road project, private sector involvement in HDC project construction and an Energy Projects local content team—all providing opportunities. And not only to benefit PNM people in the absence of procurement legislation, the Opposition hopes.
The retreat, seven months before local government elections and January Tobago House of Assembly polls, will have to balance economic/financial/national planning with supporters’ “bread and butter” expectations since local government elections, around PNM’s first anniversary in office, will afford an opportunity for public pronouncement on its management and fulfillment of promises.
How much retooling and orientation completion is achieved next week remains to unfold. Barring any other challenges that may arise before the meeting.
