Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley on Sunday acknowledged that Trinidad and Tobago will have to undergo “more adjustment” before it is able to “clear these dangerous rapids towards clam water”.
In a wide ranging address to the nation, Rowley, nonetheless said he was confident the nation would be able to deal with the challenges and urged responsibility as the members of the population “put our shoulders to the wheel and make our individual presence felt”.
Rowley said that 2018 had started with reports of the continued murderous scourge in Trinidad and Tobago and appealed “to all citizens to keep hope alive in this war against the heartless family members and career violent criminals.”
“We must continue to support the police in the national effort which last year saw 1, 064 firearms of all description and 18, 000 rounds of ammunition confiscated, record numbers for the Caribbean, yet we face almost record killings.
“Additionally, over 12 000 persons were arrested last year. We must, and we will, win this war on crime,” Rowley promised, saying that new strategies being employed by law enforcement authorities were resulting in improvements in response and detections.
“Notwithstanding many huge negatives which still exist, we are heading in the right direction. We need to increase speed on all fronts so that we can get to that destination of safety and security which the population deserves,” he said.
Crime apart, Prime Minister Rowley said that the economic situation confronting the oil-rich twin island republic was still a major issue since his administration came to office in 2015.
