Rowley says PP Government in State of emergency

Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley says the People’s Partnership Government is in a state of emergency. He said so in response to claims that such a declaration was likely to be imposed in this country based on protest action by several interest groups, including police officers. “The Government is in a state of emergency. I know of no other,” he added. Rowley described as “a non statement, a waste of time,” Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s statement in Parliament yesterday about the police sick out action.

He said if Persad-Bissessar was serious about “police and their behaviour, she would not in such a cavalier manner talk about no more than five per cent (salary increase for the officers).” He said what Persad-Bissessar had effectively done was “to abort the negotiation process for the second time.” Rowley said the Prime Minister must take full blame for agitating the officers and forcing them into the course of action they have taken.

Commenting on the appointment of Colonel Albert Griffith as Director of the Strategic Services Agency, Rowley said he wanted to know where was he when Reshmi Ramnarine was appointed to the same position recently. Rowley noted that Griffith had come through the military system and was highly qualified. “To me it only cements the outrageous behaviour of the prime minister and her Cabinet in attempting to put that position in the hands of Reshmi Ramnarine,” Rowley added.

Rowley said he wished Griffith well but maintained that the process by which the appointments are being made by the PP Government “can be and ought to be improved.” Rowley renewed his call for the removal of deputy director at the SSA Julie Browne, whose integrity has been compromised by her role in the Reshmi Ramnarine fiasco.