Good start, some missteps

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar with Govt Ministers
PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar with Govt Ministers
By Raffique Shah
June 06, 2010

THE People’s Partnership will hardly enjoy a honeymoon period in government. Because its predecessors were so delinquent in addressing real problems affecting citizens, the people are crying out for relief from the ills that affect them. Many voted for the People’s Partnership out of sheer frustration over the way ex-prime minister Manning and his key ministers treated their concerns with contempt.
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Smelter, rapid rail in limbo, water taxi to stay

Water Taxi
Water Taxi
By Raffique Shah
June 02, 2010

‘IT would be foolish of the new government to simply abandon all projects started or even planned by the PNM regime. But we have a mandate from the people to immediately take action on some of their billion-dollar plants and plans. I believe the people voted against the Alutrint smelter at La Brea. They voted against Mr Colm Imbert’s rapid rail. They voted against ex-prime minister Patrick Manning’s offshore Otaheite industrial island.
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Suggestions for Building Our Nation

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar with Govt Ministers
PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar with Govt Ministers
THE EDITOR: Madam Prime Minister,

Congratulations to you and your team of patriots who came together and offered this blessed country of ours an alternative.

The task ahead is so tedious and complex that, it is only with faith in the creator and the cooperation of the people, that the necessary changes can be successfully attempted. But as we all know, where there is a will, there is a way.
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Is PNM Yesterday’s News?

People's National Movement (PNM)
People's National Movement (PNM)
By Dr Selwyn R Cudjoe
June 05, 2010

Sharon Wilson is a friend. A few days ago we were in conversation with other friends. She asked, “Is PNM yesterday’s news, or is the People’s Partnership tomorrow’s promise?” It was a good question. It spoke to the enormous challenges that face the PNM and the innumerable opportunities this new environment offers if only we can seize the moment.
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Jack can hold Cabinet and FIFA posts

Works and Transport Minister and FIFA Vice-President Jack Warner
Works & Transport Minister and FIFA Vice-President Jack Warner
UPDATE: Jun 18, 2010

KAMLA: JACK STAYS PUT
FOUR eminent legal counsels hired by the Government have advised Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and her Cabinet that Jack Warner is not breaking any law by simultaneously holding the posts of Works and Transport Minister and vice president of the world football body, FIFA.

PM: If his workload is too much, I’ll act
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar says Chaguanas West MP Jack Warner will remain as Minister of Works and Transport, although he holds the post of vice president of the international football body, FIFA.
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Don’t ignore the environment, Govt

Landmass collapsed at sand quarry site in Caparo
Landmass collapsed at sand quarry site in Caparo

Guardian Editorial
June 04, 2010 – guardian.co.tt

As of now there has been no scientific assessment, even if preliminary, of the sunken earth at Todd’s Road in Caparo, so there is a measure of mystery about this phenomenon, even if there are educated guesses about why the land slipped.
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Bharath: Use Caroni lands to grow food

Caroni

‘Stop the many housing projects’

By Adrian Boodan
June 04, 2010 – guardian.co.tt

Food Production Minister Vasant Bharath wants all lands that were under the control of Caroni (1975) Ltd to be returned to his ministry. Bharath was speaking with the media, during a visit to farmers in Cunupia yesterday. Bharath said when the PNM administration shut down state-owned sugar producer, the lands were handed to the Ministry of Finance for disposal. He said he wanted to see the stopping of all housing developments started by the former government on these lands.
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People’s Partnership plan for 120 days of immediate action

LEFT: David Abdullah of the Movement for Social Justice, Congress of the People (COP) political leader Winston Dookeran, Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) leader Ashworth Jack, United National Congress (UNC) leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar, National Joint Action Committee (NJAC) political leader Makandal Daaga, and chairman of the Movement for Social Justice Errol McLeod.
The People's Partnership
1. Every child going on to secondary school from the SEA will be provided with a laptop to begin their secondary school education.

2. We will begin addressing the issue of securing and expanding GATE.

3. We will rescind the property tax.
Continue reading People’s Partnership plan for 120 days of immediate action

Ministry of Multiculturalism

Secretary General of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha, Satnarayan Maharaj
Secretary General of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha, Satnarayan Maharaj (Photo: Phagwa celebrations 2010)
Look to Canada for help

By Sat Maharaj
Jun 03, 2010 – guardian.co.tt

For a number of years the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha has been advocating that the Ministry of Culture be renamed the Ministry of Multiculturalism with all the attendant policy changes. On May 28, at the SDMS Indian Arrival Day dinner at the Centre of Excellence, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar announced that she heard the Maha Sabha’s call and that the Ministry of Arts and Culture would be renamed the Ministry of Arts and Multiculturalism. We have always advocated the culture of a country in the spontaneous expressions of the people and that the State has no business in culture except as a facilitator. The State must not decide which of the various cultures of our land should receive enhanced funding and which shouldn’t. Political affiliation and support must not be the measure of state support.
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Penny tipped for Senate

Mrs. Penelope Beckles
Mrs. Penelope Beckles

By Clint Chan Tack
June 03, 2010 – newsday.co.tt

AS the People’s National Movement (PNM) prepares for its new role as this country’s parliamentary opposition, there appears to be growing support for former Arima MP Pennelope Beckles to be appointed as Leader of Opposition Business in the Senate and to succeed Patrick Manning as PNM political leader.
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