Managing a country is inherently challenging, especially when deep-seated economic and societal problems cannot realistically be solved within a five-year electoral cycle.
The two existential issues confronting the country are crime and the country’s economic performance. Crime not only misallocates resources to extra security and insurance but also undermines economic growth as public confidence in the future declines. Conversely, a weak economy intensifies social pressures. Addressing these issues simultaneously is critical for national stability.
Dealing with the crime situation is challenging and requires a coordinated and multipronged approach. On Wednesday last, the Attorney General was careful to note that he was authorised by the Commissioner of Police to disclose that a national security incident, sparked by a gang member, had occurred, requiring heightened security and extra protection for parliamentarians and specific Government officials. The disclosure was met with scepticism by the public and has widely been seen as a precursor to a request for an extension of the current state of emergency (SoE).
The disclosure inevitably leads to the question of what other measures are needed to address the prevalence and power of the gangs. Similarly, the police revelations that the Belmont triple murder is not linked to the quadruple murder three weeks ago in Morvant is a clear warning to the Defence Minister to refrain from politicising crime. Clearly, there are no easy solutions or quick fixes, and the SoE's effectiveness as a crime-fighting tool is limited, as this disclosure implies. What are the next steps?
How long will the extra protection for the ministers and officials last? Surely, if the threat and its originators have been identified, steps will be taken to address that situation on a more permanent basis than a temporary detention. What will be done to address citizens' concerns about their own safety? How can the TTPS improve its intelligence-gathering capacity to move to a more proactive stance?
The country’s economic performance also raises concerns. Apart from talks with several interested parties, there seems to be no structured approach to the privatisation, sale, or lease of the Petrotrin refinery. Is the refinery saleable? And if it is not, what are the next steps? While there are reports in the international press that Shell and BP are pursuing their interests in Venezuela, how are T&T's interests being represented? What has come of the proposed trip to Venezuela by an official delegation for bilateral discussions on accessing Venezuela’s gas resources?
March 31st marked the end of the first half of the Government’s fiscal year. A review is both customary and necessary, especially in the light of international developments such as the war in Iran. What is the state of the country’s finances? So far, fuel prices at the T&T gas station pumps have remained unchanged since the last Budget speech. Does this mean that citizens are enjoying increased subsidies? Is the deficit lower or higher? Have all the back pay due to public servants been settled?
Caricom is a critical market for the non-energy domestic manufacturing sector. Issuing threats and ultimatums on the reappointment of the Secretary-General by a majority decision, and confirmed in two subsequent meetings, is counter-productive at this time.
These are difficult and challenging times. Citizens cannot rely on reassurance alone; citizens must understand exactly what is required of them and the specific adjustments that the State and public must make.
