Constitution must reflect will of the people—PM

Let your voices be heard. At the launch of the National Consultation on Constitutional Reform yesterday, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said the initiative was meant to encourage a system of participatory democracy and to facilitate public debate and consultation with every citizen.

She said the effort to host the consultations across T&T symbolised her Government’s commitment to the principle of good governance and the full participation of the people in the democratic process. Persad-Bissessar said, “We believe that the Constitution should reflect the collective will of the citizens of this country.

“We have learnt from the failings of some previous attempts at reform which did not truly take into account the concerns of the most important stakeholders in this country—the people.” The launch was held at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine campus and was attended by Chief Justice Ivor Archie, Attorney General Anand Ramlogan and other public officials.

The PM said the consultations will span “the length and breadth” of the country. “We intend to make sure that as many people as possible are able to voice their concerns,” she said. Legal Affairs Minister Prakash Ramadhar is chairman of the Constitution Reform commission. Persad-Bissessar said it has become abundantly clear that the Constitution protects the poor and rich and those at all levels without exception. She said the consultations will bring about a myriad of issues.