As the United National Congress celebrates its second anniversary under the leadership of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, one senior Cabinet member says the country and the party have a lot to celebrate today. Housing and the Environment Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal said in an interview yesterday the Government had succeeded in reducing serious crime by 30 per cent and the murder rate by 25 per cent. Moonilal and Foreign Affairs and Communications Minister, Dr Surujrattan Rambachan will chair today's event, which begins at 6.30 pm at the Rienzi Complex in Couva. Moonilal said the celebrations will comprise speeches by all the leaders of the member units of the People's Partnership Government, including David Abdulah of the Movement for Social Justice, UNC Chairman Jack Warner and Prakash Ramadhar of the Congress of the People (COP). Persad-Bissessar will deliver the feature address at the event which will include cultural performances by several artistes.
Among those listed to perform are the band Karma, calyposians Crazy and The Original De Fosto, Himself. Moonilal said: "There is a lot to celebrate in Trinidad and Tobago."
Moonilal said the UNC has remained committed to equality, social justice, national unity. He said Persad-Bissessar's leadership had been defined by "Compassion and courage." Moonilal said the Children's Life Fund, established under Persad-Bissessar's leadership, had already saved lives. He reminded that the Government had provided laptops to thousands of successful SEA students over the past two years. He said a pipe-borne water supply has been made available to many citizens in communities such as Debe, Couva. He said the PP Government continues to enhance the lives of citizens across the country. He cited the St Helena By-Pass and the Couva Interchange as among the new roads constructed by the PP Government. He noted 2,500 homes have already been constructed and delivered to citizens over the past 20 months. He pointed out also that former Caroni (1975) Ltd workers have been given lands promised by the former PNM Government.
He added: "While we are not happy with the continuing criminal activity, we are on the right track to ensure that we will win the war against it in T&T." He confessed to be proud of the UNC, its leader and the party's record of performance over the past 20 months. He said "landmark legislation to deal with crime, including the Preliminary Enquires Bill and the Interception of Communications Act have been passed." Moonilal expects a massive turnout of supporters for this evening's celebrations. And, UNC founder Basdeo Panday would like to know the reason for the celebrations. He said no other political leader in T&T had ever done such a thing. He wants to know the cost of the celebrations and who was paying for it. Panday said over the past two years nothing significant has changed for the people of T&T under Persad-Bissessar. "It is a great disappointment," Panday insisted.