THE Prime Minister yesterday missed the launch of what was arguably the Government’s most important anti-crime initiative, the National Crime Prevention Programme (NCPP). One of the People’s National Movement’s 2015 general election promises, the NCPP was launched at the Hilton Trinidad. In attendance were at least 11 government ministers, Chief Justice Ivor Archie, members of the diplomatic corps and members of the business community. Also noticeably absent were all Opposition parliamentarians.
The media build-up to yesterday’s launch advertised Dr Rowley as the feature speaker. However Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) Stuart Young delivered remarks on the PM’s behalf.
Young told the gathering that the PM “apologises profusely for his absence here this morning.” The PM is also National Security Council chairman. Young said, “Unfortunately, something came up at the last minute and he asked me to stand in. Hopefully, I will not disappoint.” Young later told reporters the PM’s absence was not health-related. The PM recently disclosed he was experiencing back pains and it was “being treated.”
Young said, “As the prime minister of the country, issues come up at very last minute manner. There was something that came up that was pressing that he wanted to deal with himself.” Young did not indicate what that matter was. Asked if it was an urgent matter of state, Young replied, “I’ll leave it at that. The PM had something else that he wanted to deal with himself, personally.”
Efforts to contact the PM for comment were unsuccessful. Government officials said this was not the first time the PM had to alter his plans and the Government was well represented at the event.
Apart from Young, Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi, Energy Minister Franklin Khan, National Security Minister Edmund Dillon, Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan and Rural Development and Local Government Minister Kazim Hosein were amongst the government parliamentarians in attendance.
After observing that “crime is not about politics,” Young said he was disappointed that Opposition parliamentarians were invited to the NCPP launch but “have not turned up.”
Barataria/San Juan MP Dr Fuad Khan said he was invited but is out of the country until July 22. St Augustine MP Prakash Ramdhar said he was also invited but could not attend because of a “court commitment.” Young said, “From the time we begin to politicise crime or the issues of crime and wish that the scourge of crime continues to develop in the hope that it mars a government and makes a government look bad, you are failing your country and the wider national community.”
Saying crime affects every citizen of TT, Young declared, “ This government does not for a moment, bury its head in the sand, pretending or believing that crime does not exist and that things do not need to be done, to deal directly with crime.” Despite the trying economic circumstances that the country is facing, Young said the Government continues to do everything that it can and provide every resource it can to all agencies charged with combating crime.
ORIGINAL STORY
THE Prime Minister missed today's launch of the National Crime Prevention Programme (NCPP) at the Hilton Trinidad. The NCPP has been highlighted as one of the major initiatives being undertaken by the Government to curb crime in the country.
Speaking on Dr Rowley's behalf, Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Stuart Young said the PM wanted to be present, but a matter which arose at the last minute resulted in his attendance. Young said the PM extended his apologies to all who attended the event, for his absence.
Young said the Opposition was invited to the NCPP launch but chose not to attend. "Crime is not about politics," he said. Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi was surprised by the Opposition's absence. Recalling Opposition MPs in Central Trinidad have been complaining about rising crime in their constituencies, Al-Rawi said increasing municipal police officers in Chaguanas was one of the measures included in the NCPP. The Opposition was scheduled to hold a news conference at the Opposition Leader's Office in Port of Spain at 2 pm today.
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"PM, Opposition miss NCPP launch"