Ameen: PNM selling alternative reality

Saying the ruling PNM has failed at each of its major initiatives, including the Tobago Sandals project, UNC Senator Khadijah Ameen said senior government ministers are instead attempting to “sell” an alternative reality to TT by asserting that the economic recession is overSpeaking on the Finance Supplementary Appropriation (Financial Year 2019) Bill in the Senate yesterday, Ameen said the PNM has failed to deliver on its promises, such as Sandals, the La Brea dry dock facility, gas from the Dragon field and the seabridge.“But more dangerous and frightening than their failure is that they have also been trying to sell us an alternative reality…but what is the reality in TT? The reality is there is no turnaround. Businesses are being forced to close every day.”She said independent international organisations have painted TT in a light different from the one being promoted by the government.“They are trying to convince us in TT that these reputable organisations are telling untruths. They call it fake news... a helicopter crash, they call it an emergency landing, and then accuse the rest of the country of giving fake news.”

Ameen said there is no evidence that government was working to reduce the unemployment rate or eliminate contract labour in the public sector.On crime, she said government has ignored the social aspect of crime reduction as such programmes as the Civilian Conservation Corps and Mypart.She also criticised the Education Ministry for not completing schools which had not been finished by the previous administration, while cutting allocations for support staff.