News Gregory McBurney 9 hours ago
Ancel Roger, president of the Joint Trade Union Movement (JTUM), said the prime minister, who has shed the blood of his people, should step down as chairman of the National Security Council (NSC).
At a press conference on August 21, Roger accused the government of failing in its responsibility to ensure the safety of its citizens.
He said it didn’t seem like the government was treating crime-fighting as its primary responsibility.
“Crime and murder are rampant. It’s as if (the government) doesn’t care or take responsibility.”
“That’s the responsibility of everyone else: parents, churches, teachers and the general public.”
“It’s everybody else’s (responsibility) except for the people whose job it is to protect us and keep us safe.”
Roget suggested the recent announcement that Columbus’ ship on the coat of arms would be replaced with a steel pan was a distraction.
But unfortunately, criminals don’t care about “politics of distraction,” Roget said.
“For criminals, coats of arms are not important. They don’t care about coats of arms. What they brag about is that they have weapons and ammunition. All this political distraction is of no use to the people.”
He said Rowley has proven himself incompetent and should be held accountable for the murder.
“Being prime minister doesn’t mean you have the ability to fight crime or head the National Security Council. But having an incompetent prime minister makes it even worse.”
“Unless we tackle crime in a comprehensive way with competent people up to the task, we will continue to face this problem every day,” he added.
Rogier called on the government to consider measures he proposed two years ago, including a national debate on crime.
Speaking at a press conference at the Communications Workers Union Hall, Henry Street, Port of Spain on 8 November 2022, Rogier presented nine measures that he believes will address the growing crime problem.
These included a national debate on crime, an examination of the socio-economic factors that influence crime, closing borders, investigating white-collar criminals who fund the importation of illegal guns, increasing youth sporting activities, increasing youth employment, apprenticeship programs, prison reform and increasing police resources.
Rogier said the government needed to increase the amount of resources available to the police because they were currently outnumbered by criminals.
“We believe the weapons currently in the hands of criminals completely outweigh the weapons police have to fight crime.”
He added that he was aware that some police stations were in a state of disrepair.
“We are asking police to come to these police stations and spend long hours to protect residents in different areas, but we lack the equipment.
“Show me (the government) one of the most advanced police facilities in the country. Show me and I will take them there and show them where the police are, where the sergeants are scooping up buckets of water because the roof is leaking and it’s falling on their desks.”
He said police were becoming tax collectors for the government by indiscriminately issuing tickets to drivers.
He accused police of using resources to target the wrong people.
“You’re driving down the road, you leave your house with all your lights on, and then you fall into a big pothole in the road, the light bulb swings around in the socket and your lights go out, you get a ticket, you get points, etc.
“The police are there to collect the shortfall that the government is creating in terms of revenue for this country. So in the police we have tax collectors, not protectors of the people or servants of the people.”
Roget said crime was also affecting the economy, with businesses facing extortion from gangs.
“Crime is so visible and so pervasive. It only takes one phone call to extort money from legitimate business owners in this country. Why? Because crime is real and they are afraid of it.”
He said many of the problems stem from the vulnerability of the country’s borders.
“Who are the importers of these sophisticated weapons? Who are the people making profits behind the scenes? Because it costs money to import these weapons.”
“The government has failed to prevent, slow or eradicate the importation of arms and ammunition into our country.”
He said the number of guns in the country is as if there were gun and ammunition factories in the country.
“For our frightened citizens who are the victims, the problem is not the porous borders. We are pitiable because now we are the targets.”
He defended the union’s position and said his remarks were not intended to put pressure on the government over ongoing labour negotiations or wage increases.
“This is about the level of crime in the country, the level of murder, and the government’s inability to blame everyone but themselves.”
