Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar wrapped up her more than 3-hour budget response in the Parliament this afternoon, where she promised to create 50, 000 jobs and shared the UNC's vision to take Trinidad and Tobago on the road to economic transformation.
Persad-Bissessar said she dedicated her presentation "to the men and women who lost their jobs over the last four years, I dedicate it to the poor and vulnerable, and I to the next generation of leaders that we will soon bring forward."
As she shared what she termed as the opposition's comprehensive plans for the transformation of the nation, she said
" We will get the job done because the PNM talks, but we have the vision to transform T&T so each citizen can enjoy a better quality of life by getting sustainable jobs, greater safety, improved access to quality healthcare, affordable housing and equal opportunities for all."
The Opposition Leader added, "The core philosophy of the UNC is that our nation’s greatest resource is our people. Build up our people, and we will build our nation.
A new UNC govt will be dedicated to creating jobs and getting people back to work, safeguarding social equity and justice and protecting people’s rights."
She continued, "A new UNC govt will focus on tackling crime, removing obstacles to business growth, and attracting local and foreign investments by providing an enabling environment and necessary incentives."
Persad-Bissessar also promised, "to make agriculture more attractive and commercially viable by implementing the right policies and institutions and ensuring the budgetary resources and land are available."
The opposition ended her budget response by sending a message to the citizens of the country.
She said, "To every citizen I say, we can still save our country. I issue a call for national action.
Today we inaugurate a new political culture in this country, when one whole year before the elections, we tell you what we are going to do and ask you to judge us, not on promises but on substance and our proven track record of delivery. With diligence, resolve and a shared vision, we can transform our beloved nation, and ensure a brighter future for every single citizen of our country."