Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has criticised those who slammed Government's decision to call a Commission of Enquiry into the construction of the Point Fortin Highway.
Speaking at the PNM's sports and family day in La Horquetta yesterday, the Prime Minister referred specifically to an editorial report in a daily newspaper.
"I saw an editorial today in one of the main papers and it concerned me," he said.
Rowley chastised "some people" who want to keep the status quo instead of rallying for change.
Rowley said that "some people", seemed to be trying to normalize bad behaviour.
"It is for the PNM to say that is not normal and that would not be accepted," he said.
"On Thursday, the Government found that there was a basis to enquire into the expenditure with respect to a multi-billion dollar project and to determine who did what when and how," he said.
He said the Government was currently facing "hundreds and millions of dollars in claims because certain individuals may not have conducted themselves properly," he said.
"So we asked for a Commission of Enquiry and that is offending so many people that you get in an editorial that is is a waste of tile, a waste of money and its politics," he said.
"They want you to accept corruption as a normal way of life in Trinidad and Tobago," he said.
"All of a sudden, the cost of finding out who did what should stop you from doing it," he said.
He said just because CoE's in the past did not result in a public execution, it did not mean that it should not be done.
"Those who are to answer for these young people's future are those who answer for establishing the policies to programs in this country must not be made to answer because it upsets some people," he said.
He said young people should refuse to accept that.
"We are refusing to accept that people could come into office, use their office, enrich themselves, come into your community, take the money that they thief, link up with the criminal element to determine that is how the election will go," he said.
He also warned young people to avoid people seeking to either pay them for voting or for staying away from the election process.
"You should know that your future does not lie with that. Your future lies with honesty in public office and public officers must be made to be honest and accountable," he said.
He said the PNM government would continue to attack corruption.
"The PNM stands for honesty in politics," he said.
Rowley was also highly critical of former national security minister under the former administration, Jack Warner.
"We have in this country where persons have been identified interfered with public money, fighting like a tiger because they have more money than you," he said.
"We have people who can't leave Piarco to go Cumuto but every Friday could tell you that the counter is a failed state," he said.
He said what was worse was that one line was being taken which the PNM rejected.
"I want to tell Jack Warner that that article he wrote last Friday in his rag, picking out PNM people, trying to create racial discord, stay in the UNC and the ILP with allyuh racial foolishness," he said.
"The PNM is a party for all," he said.