Tag Archives: T&T Govt

Spinning Top in Mud

By Dr. Selwyn R. Cudjoe
June 15, 2011

Dr. Selwyn R. CudjoeTrinidad and Tobago ought to pause a moment; catch its collective breath, and then ask: where are we going as a nation. Anyone who viewed the video about Niyoka Folkes, a student of Barataria North Secondary School or saw the pummeling she received or the photographs of her bruises that appeared on the newspapers, cannot help but wonder at the sad turn of events at our public schools. That even an adult jumped in to add her blows seems to a dispassionate observer that our society might be going mad.
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‘I’m PM of Trinidad AND Tobago’

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar‘I’m PM of Trinidad AND Tobago’
PRIME MINISTER Kamla Persad-Bissessar yesterday def-ended her decision to “fully operationalise” the Office of the Prime Minister in Tobago, insisting this will not cause a rift between the PNM-controlled Tobago House of Assembly (THA) and the People’s Partnership controlled-Central Government.
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Truth and Consequences

By Dr. Selwyn R. Cudjoe
June 07, 2011

Dr. Selwyn R. CudjoeWhen I asked whether our honorable Prime Minister has a drinking problem I did not mean to be uncharitable or to be “sexist.” Given Dominique Strauss-Kahn’s difficulties I thought it responsible to raise an issue that has gained a life of its own. I still contend that the enabling role Strauss-Kahn’s friends played in supporting his illness may be analogous to the deafening public silence that surrounds the PM’s purported drinking problem. Many of Strauss-Khan’s close friends knew he had a problem. None was bold enough to speak about it publicly.
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Stealing the soul of the nation

By Raffique Shah
Jun 05, 2011

Raffique ShahBRIBERY and corruption are a global phenomena that permeate almost every country in the world. The only variant is the level or intensity of such malpractices, and the amounts of money involved, as they vary from country to country. Forget Transparency International’s Corruption Index, which addresses the perception of corruption, not the reality. Think real. Think Trinidad and Tobago, where from the ordinary citizen seeking to get a driver’s permit or a job, to a big contractor making a legitimate bid for a contract with a government agency.
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Jack Warner cleared of bribery allegations made by Lord Triesman

Four Fifa executives accused by Lord Triesman are ‘in the clear’

By Matt Scott in Zurich
guardian.co.uk, Sunday 29 May 2011

Jack WarnerThe four Fifa executive committee members accused of corruption by Lord Triesman have been cleared by a Football Association inquiry, according to the world governing body’s interpretation of a 200-page dossier it was handed last week.

The FA commissioned Paul Dingemans QC to investigate the claims raised by Triesman under parliamentary privilege this month. Triesman, the former FA chairman, alleged that four Fifa executives asked for favours in return for voting for England’s 2018 World Cup bid.
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Prime Minister Stands by Jack Warner

OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER
13-15 ST. CLAIR AVENUE, ST. CLAIR
REPUBLIC OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

MEDIA STATEMENT ON THE “PROVISIONAL SUSPENSION” OF JACK WARNER

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-BissessarIt is a fundamental tenet of the rule of law that a man is innocent until proven guilty.

This right is enshrined in the constitution of the republic of Trinidad and Tobago and is an important pillar in our system of justice.
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NACTA: PP still leads PNM after one year

People's Partnership supporters vs PNM supporters

Trinidad Guardian
May 24, 2011 – guardian.co.tt

The findings of an opinion survey conducted by NACTA over the last week show the incumbent People’s Partnership (PP) Government has lost support while the PNM has managed to hold on to most of its support, just a year after the coalition won office by a landslide. However, if an election were called now, while the PP is likely to lose several seats, it will still retain office though by a narrow majority. Voters do not see any threat to the Government and they do not view the PNM as a viable alternative. The poll also shows Ministers Jack Warner, Roodal Moonilal, Glenn Ramadharsingh, and Vasant Bharath leading their colleagues in ratings for performance as well as in other measurements.
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PM vows to make T&T a better place

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-BissessarPM vows to make T&T a better place
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar wrapped up a national day of prayer at Rienzi Complex, Couva, last night by extending a branch of hope to the citizenry saying, “better days are coming.” Speaking with reporters last evening after handing out gifts to scores of supporters, Persad-Bissessar commented on recent polls which showed that her Government had a decline in its performance ratings for the past year. According to recent polls, including last Sunday’s ANSA McAL Psychological Research Centre’s poll in the Sunday Guardian, Persad-Bissessar’s rating has fallen over the last year. The PM said that despite the setbacks, she was committed to making T&T a better place.
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Patrick in trouble…again

By Raffique Shah
May 22, 2011

Patrick ManningTHE suspension of ex-prime minister Patrick Manning from the House last week triggered a national debate that is curious, to say the least. I think the penalty imposed on the nation’s longest serving MP was somewhat harsh. But I also hold that Manning is a “harden fella”, not unlike another ex-prime minister, Basdeo Panday, who was also suspended three years ago, but who rushed to Manning’s defence—something I find quite amusing.
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Time for the President to change the Integrity Commission

Chairman of the Integrity Commission Eric St CyrTHE EDITOR: The Chairman of the Integrity Commission Eric St Cyr has been quoted as saying that the controversy surrounding the award of the $40 million contract to Gopaul and Company Ltd could have been avoided if the Prime Minister had stayed at a hotel.

The alacrity in which the Commission’s Chairman responded is similar to the pace of response when the Opposition questioned the appointment of Jack Warner as a Minister whilst at the same time holding an Executive FIFA office.
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