RADHICA DE SILVA
United National Congress Political Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar fired back at Prime Minister Stuart Young’s criticism of her spending plans, insisting that a UNC government will fund its initiatives by cutting back on government waste and prioritising poor people.
Speaking to an energized crowd at Bhupsingh Park, Penal — the heart of the Siparia constituency — Persad-Bissessar again outlined a sweeping list of social, economic, and infrastructure reforms the UNC plans to deliver if elected into office.
With just two weeks until voters go to the polls on April 28, Persad-Bissessar said; “You have had leaders before me, you will have leaders after me, but you will never have a leader who loves you more than I do.”
Detailing her plans, should the UNC win the election, Persad-Bissessar said, “We will redirect that PNM eat-a-food money to support land for the landless, to repave our roads, to implement a comprehensive traffic alleviation plan and to supply water in your taps."
She said young families could not afford a house or ever earn enough to purchase land and this keeps them in a cycle of poverty.
Her remarks came days after Young questioned where the UNC would find the funds to support such a broad agenda. The Prime Minister accused the UNC leader of making empty promises without explaining how the initiatives would be financed.
But Persad-Bissessar hit back saying, “There is money to pay workers; the government has money for everything else besides paying workers.”
She accused the current PNM administration of squandering over $530 billion with little to show for it, claiming that the country’s wealth has been funnelled into privilege and patronage.
At the meeting, Persad-Bissessar outlined several major projects and policies the UNC would implement, including the reopening of the Petrotrin refinery and lowering fuel prices. Claiming the PNM had decimated the south land when it shut down the refinery, she accused Young of trying to hoodwink the population into believing that the PNM did not shut down the refinery back in 2018.
Speaking about the high cost of living, Persad-Bissessar said there would be no Value Added Tax (VAT) on 7,000 food items should she take office as poor people, she said, were struggling to feed their families.
She said there would be free laptops for secondary school students and free tablets for primary school pupils so they could have the best opportunity.
And to stop school bullying she promised expanded Student Support Services, universal free kindergarten education and police officers patrolling inside schools to protect staff and students.
She also vowed to help sick children by expanding the Children’s Life Fund. To boost business, she said she would lower foreign used car prices and put a stop to abusive traffic fines.
"We have an economic transformation plan including growth poles and an East-West Corridor manufacturing hub. We will put affordable housing and easier access to financial services," she explained.
And for those facing the brunt of crime, Persad-Bissessar promised that legal firearms would be given to law-abiding citizens and all off-duty police and prison officers.
Persad-Bissessar also promised to reintroduce and expand GATE funding, restore school feeding and transport programmes, and implement “stand your ground” and “home invasion” laws.
Framing the upcoming election as a turning point, she declared, “This election is where we stand together, united, focused, strong, bold and confident.”
Despite criticisms, Persad-Bissessar maintained that the UNC has both a credible plan and the will to execute it. “The UNC supports creating thousands of new jobs, as we did from 2010 to 2015,” she reminded supporters.