Senior Reporter
andrea.perez-sobers@guardian.co.tt
Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley is calling on the Spiritual Baptist community to work with the parents and other citizens in T&T to help break the cycle of crime and violence that is plaguing the country.
Dr Rowley made the call during the People’s National Movement’s (PNM) Spiritual Baptist Liberation Day celebrations at the party’s headquarters, Balisier House, Tranquility Street, Port-of-Spain, yesterday.
He said the way to assist in breaking the cycle was for parents to pay closer attention to how their children are raised in society.
“If there is anything you can teach the people of T&T, you, the Spiritual Baptist, can teach the citizens how to raise their children, with moral and spiritual values.
“There is a lot we have lost, by destroying what we met, creating vacuums, and not replacing them with anything useful.”
“We have been called upon to put an end to the violent behaviour in T&T, and if there is one group of people that we can call upon to knock on doors and call on the people of this country, to take some personal responsibility for bringing about change and making our young people appreciate available opportunities, you the Spiritual Baptist in your splendid garments can do so,” the prime minister said.
It was only last week that Dr Rowley, during the sod-turning ceremony at the Caura Housing Development, said it was unacceptable for law-abiding citizens to remain quiet when they know who has and uses illegal guns to commit crimes.
$10M more for Baptist community
Dr Rowley said he was pleased that the $10 million that was given to the Baptist community by the Cabinet has been put to use, and they will soon be opening their headquarters and carpark in Balmain Couva.
“You have built the auditorium in Balmain, you have the carpark in Balmain, and I think you are designing the cathedral, so you are making good use and good progress.
“Farther along, you asked for help concerning a memorial ground, the Government heard you and journeyed along.
“Today you have your ten acres in Rivulet Ground, Couva-Tabaquite. The Spiritual Baptist is moving alone,” he noted.
Dr Rowley said that it was good to see that the Spiritual Baptist community will now be together in the auditorium and not scattered about like before.
Speaking at the Spiritual Baptist Dream for a cathedral, the PM said he heard the drawings are coming along and ready to roll, and Government is prepared to continue to assist.
“That is why I intend to ask the Cabinet at the next session having got confirmation that you have made full use of the first $10 million to get you the second half and somewhere along we would gather like this at the Spiritual Baptist Cathedral,” Rowley added.