By Ian Lambie
December 16, 2015 – newsday.co.tt
WE SHOULD all be ashamed, whether we be parliamentarian or proletariat who elected them to Parliament and permitted them to do their own thing for five years, that our legacy to our grandchildren and to our great-grandchildren will be: debt.
Since 2009 and up to 2015, our country has been spending more than it earned by approving deficit Budgets, with one exception — in 2010.
Our country’s total debt, as reported by the Central Bank, in 2006 was $26.582 billion; in 2007 it was $36.178 billion; in 2008, $41.691 billion; in 2009, $43.533 billion; 2010 when the PP Government assumed the reins for our finances it was $48.100 billion; 2011, $51.2013; 2012, $61.680; 2013, $66.866 billion; and in 2014, $79.121 billion.
This is an increase in our public debt of $31,021 billion, an increase of 64 percent, since 2010.
While Trinidad and Tobago has no control over the world’s market prices, our government does have the responsibility for balancing our annual Budget.
Our 2015/2016 Budget provides for an expenditure of $63.048 billion with revenue of $60.287 billion, a deficit of $2.761 billion.
I trust that our decision makers do not run their respective households in a similar manner: spending more than they earn and living in debt. No surprise that they want substantially increased salaries and perks, as determined by themselves. In 2007, I was very pleased when the government decided to save some of our energy wealth for future generations by establishing the Heritage and Stabilisation Fund for the purpose of saving and investing surplus petroleum revenues in order to cushion the impact on our public expenditure capacity during periods of revenue downturn, whether caused by a fall in prices of crude oil or natural gas, and to provide a heritage for future generations from the savings and investment income derived from excess petroleum revenue.
I had suggested at that time that there should be two distinct avenues for saving: 1. A Stabilisation Fund and 2. A Heritage Fund. By September 30, 2014, the fund had accumulated US$5.533 billion.
Mention must be made of the Green Fund, an environmental conservation fund, which was established in 2001 to provide financial assistance to organisations and community groups primarily engaged in activities related to reforestation using seedlings of indigenous forest tree species; restoring the functional capacity of an environmental resource damaged by natural or man-made causes; habitat or watershed protection and restoration after a storm; land restoration after quarrying or mining (a function which, in my opinion, should be the responsibility of the mining company, a condition which should have been included in the licence granted); conservation education programmes including sustainable hunting/ fishing methods; ecotourism projects; reducing pollution (air, water, land); protecting endangered plant and animal species, their habitats and ecosystems; and all other approved conservation projects.
We have been informed by the Minister of Finance that the Green Fund was used by the PP Government as collateral for a Central Bank overdraft.
On December 13, it was reported in the media that the minister had stated that should it be decided to proceed with a mass transit system, it will be financed by a loan from the Inter-American Development Bank. Additional debt for our grandchildren and great-grandchildren to inherit.
It will be nice if the Government tells the people what system will be used, whether rail, bus or some other, the routes to be used and the cost of this proposed system.
In my opinion, any project which will add to the debt burden to be inherited by our grandchildren and great-grandchildren should be postponed until our national debt has been significantly reduced and our decision makers cease spending more than we earn.
In order to understand the mindset of the UNC & their operatives in the last 5 years as well as the true COST of hesitating to remove the likes Of their Operatives like Jwala Rambarran, one must listen carefully to words of Jerlean John, a UNC operative not unlike gypsy, skippy, clifton decoteau etc. i.e. africans who seem to have no sympathy, empathy or loyalty to their ethnic group & will gleefully carry out the directives of the UNC to the detriment of their own….for a pair of sneakers, fancy clothes or a car….
Jerlen John is now complaining about the newly installed board investigating corruption 2010-2015. …she is saying it is u fair, and that 2000-2007 should also be investigated to be ‘fair’…then she proceeds to allege wrongdoings of that period…you see? What type of director of a state entity would talk in that manner? John was appointed by the UNC under panday’s reign…she is UNC through & through….loyal as a…well you know…If Jwala is allowed to remain, just as Patrick Manning allowed her to stay after UNC was booted out 2002-2010….she presided over all what happened 2010-2015 ….there is no shame….listen to the way she talks & a wise person will be able to determine her mindset…
Since september 7th after the elections til’ now….there has been Zero compliance with the wishes of the new minister, the honourable Marlene Mcdonald…..the UNC board appears to have been ‘running interference’ for the UNC/PP since PNM won……same attitude as Jwala….NIDCO & HDC are critical entities….imagine the first quarter of the first year of their first term in Office, the UNC/PP has control of these boards….documents may go missing.
Today’s Guardian carries an article by Gail Alexander, an obvious UNC operative, seeking to defend Jwala. She shows a picture of Justin Phelps,– whom I recall once declaring strongly for the PNM,– but quotes Rishi Maharaj, representing a never-before-heard-of “public interest lobbyist group Disclosure Today (DT)”. Phelps is legal adviser to DT it is stated, but nowhere is it reported what was Phelps’ advice.
Why then is Phelps’ photo shown, and not, Rishi’s? Clearly it is to make however subliminally the point that some members of the PNM support Jwala. In earlier pieces, she had Mariano Brown and Conrad Enill making statements that *appear* to support Jwala. But on a close reading, they were making broad statements of principle that actually do no such thing, rather express a preference for “working differences out privately”.
Ms. Alexander is doing a wuk, and presumably getting paid, although it would appear not exclusively by her presumptive employer, the Guardian.
In a Mendonca-esque piece of logic, Rishi tendentiously argues: “Commercial confidentiality has never provided an absolute exemption to disclosure. Any presumption against disclosure is increasingly no longer recognised. Rather, the case has to be convincingly made as to why confidentiality should be protected and the public left in the dark.”
In other words, the burden of proof, “increasingly” has shifted … against confidentiality, and *for* “transparency”. Transparency is a variant of the populist argument. Transparency is now so over-riding a mandate, we are being urged to accept, it must now embrace not only the Government and its actions, but also all the private information that private entities are required to share with the Government, including apparently all one’s financial data. A “convincing” case must be given why your stuff should be held confidential, otherwise it is incumbent upon such as Jwala to release it, “in the public interest”.
This is Mendonca-esque, and also actually wrong. Yes, one’s right to privacy is not absolute. It disappears as soon as you commit a crime, for example, or there is a serious case to answer. But the burden has never shifted to the accused to prove his innocence, unless somewhere along the line our beloved republic became a communist dictatorship. That has not happened yet, and I trust never will.
At any rate, when the burden of proof continues to lie where dictated under our system, namely on Jwala in this instance to show cause why this breach of confidentiality was necessary in the public interest, his argument fails, for reasons I’ve already articulated: the disclosure does not give the public what it needs, and conveniently hides that which it does.
So to the discerning, we see the save-Jwala campaign for what it is. Plenty of nothing, but a lot of huffing and puffing seeking to intimidate the PM and the FM from doing what they clearly must. Or face the kind of consequences to which you allude. What is at stake really is the stability of the Government, and its ability to exercise the firm rule needed to keep the ship of state steady and on course.
PM Rowley should dread nought and fear nought in this matter… if he does what’s clearly right and necessary in this matter.
Shalom.
“…but God shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind. And behold at eveningtide trouble; and before the morning he is not. This is the portion of them that spoil us, and the lot of them that rob us.” (Isaiah 17:13-14)
Another thing: so that it is clear what the deeper agenda is, I draw everyone’s attention to The Indian Policy, and in particular to its 1st item: “Make the country ungovernable”.
One ought not to flinch when confronting an ugly truth. The consequences of denial, or worse, cowardice, in the face of such a monstrous evil, is to be overcome by it.
Shalom.
“But the fearful, and … all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8)
Yoruba…you speak of the deception of quoting one person and posting a pic of another…also you spoke on the fact that Mendonca’s surname is misleading as his picture tells more than 1000 words…i’m making a link here…1 minute…are you familiar with T.G. Mendes of ILP/Sunshine columnist?….same thing…porrtugese lat name but he is clearly indian…but has the gall to say that “i am not aware of any of my family being of african or indian ancestry”…but before i saw his pic i knew…read his articles since mid 2000’s. ..he is clearly on the indian propaganda side concerning race & political issues..i remember him calling formsupport of Nizam’s statement about TTPS…but hides behind a portugese surname….have you EVER seen him post a picture of himself along with his columns like everybody else?? NVER!!…..Also….have you seen last week’s announcement of the death Of Nikola Mitchell of the Mirror?? Finally we see his picture…an Indian Man….Have you read his articles for the past 5 years?? Pro Indian anti pnm anti African…He also NEVER posted a pic with his columns……I have noticed more than a few Indians who are strong propagandists of a twisted indian Narrative of T&T history & anti pnm remarks….happen to have non hindu last names…which are usual identifying marks of Indians….i do not think the examples i have mentioned are by chance…”John La Guerre” who did all the ‘research’ along with selwyn ryan and is quite outspoken with an indian/unc slant on history was born Gaffar Mohammed!…his wife who has the same character as Indira Rampersad (if you know what i mean) is Anne-Marie Bissessar (Kamla’s Cousin in law) who or course was placed on the either equal opportunity commission with her husband ‘John’ or another one of those ‘commissions of fairness’….she is also a professor at U.W.I? Who writes as if coached by Devant…with a strong UNCesque slant…..are you seeing the link i mentioned earlier??
i cannot remark on Mendonca but the rest i mentioned are suspect….just happen to be pro indian/unc activists in their positions but either changed their names to not reflect their true ancestry or was a natural born ‘disguise’ with which to capitalize on…i know of more in canada & the US that i won’t get into here…but there is this underhandedness in the indian community that exposes itself in the politics but runs MUCH deeper….a willingness to do ANY & ANYTHING to gain or maintain an advantage in any sphere of life- on a GROUP LEVEL….but they get VEXXXX when it is spoken of….irregardless of if 100% of them behave this way or not, it is definitely a strong & vibrant culture within their community…
David Muhammad had mentioned Gail Alexander’s misrepresentation in the newspapers of his position or statements not too long ago, he even said he was surprised as he ‘knew’ & worked with her a number of years…
Have you seen the Mirror article about the evidence of cheating cxc on a massive scale aided by the previous administration almost as soon as they got in office?? Cheating at CXC gets them into pressige US colleges…
Alyssa, I read some of T.G.Mendes’ articles in the Sunshine, and I realized he was playing some kind of a one-note samba, so eventually quit reading. I am not surprised to hear that he is a crypto-indo. I agree that a misleading name coupled with no picture coupled with the particular tendency of his articles are sufficient to rest the case.
It is a long-standing dodge. I remember getting a good chuckle out of it from V.S.Nighpall’s humorous story about the local indo that went to Britain and morphed there into “G. Ramsay Muir”, from his original name, Ganesh(?) Ramsumair.
So John LaGuerre does not even hide his purpose: it is right there in his nom-de-guerre, as it were. They, as declared in their Indian Policy are indeed at war, a war of deception. They will deny, deny, deny what they are manifestly attempting to do. And in some combination of disbelief and political fearfulness, we the victims of that disguised aggression, will tend to downplay and even deny what is clearly being played out. I quote:
“Item 2. Our people must undermined (sic) this nigga (sic) government from within the ministries and work assiduously in collecting and disseminating information to our personnels (sic). This is very important for our return to office. we must not allow ourselves to be ruled by monkeys (sic). Give them on (sic) support.”
As I have maintained for a long time, the indo in this land are a disloyal sectarian minority. They are represented by a disloyal opposition, and when “their party” ran the Government, they were a disloyal Government, serving not the interests of T&T, but their own narrow sectarian interest. Worse, they were a criminal usurpation. That is why Jwala does *not* disclose what he ought to have disclosed, which is the list of those allocated forex without corresponding imports of goods and/or services, rather to fund capital outflows to forex bank accounts overseas, or to fund purchases of condominiums in Ft. Lauderdale or shopping malls in Holland. The disclosure given offers no clue as to such *use* of forex. But it cleverly — their war is a war of deception — draws attention away from themselves to the french-creole an’ dem. In the chess game it is a clever move. But it will be to no avail, if the PM merely calls him out on it, and does the “right thing” that he is under oath, without fear or favour, required to do.
I don’t read the Mirror, so I don’t know about the CXC cheating. But it is of a piece with the rest of the Indian Policy, in particular Item 6 and Item 5. The end-result of course will be that they will cheapen the brand. In the medical profession, everyone must now take a jaundiced view of indo doctors. They don’t care. The policy requires that they cover up for each other.
As I have said, this is a monstrous evil in our midst. It will not go away until those granted by God the requisite power, confront it head on and without flinching.
PM Rowley has the brains. May God grant him the belly and the backbone that are also required to deal with this problem. May he feat nought, and dread nought, knowing that God is with him.
Shalom.
“When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; it is that they shall be destroyed for ever…” (Psalms 92:7)
Ohhh yeeeesss Yoruba…i forgot abouth that point…”nomme de plume” & “nomme de guerre”…LITERALLY…but unless you knew it wasn’t his original name…one woouldn’t be the wiser, because ‘de guerre’ is a legitimate surname…but as we know the truth it coukd also be a name baptized in vengence & deception…it speaks to a particular underhanded mindset…to try to sell your propaganda as ‘unbiased truth’…what type of people would think like that..??
Oh & Yoruba & Kian….guess who coincidentally afrter a long pause from his initial deggee, received his doctoral studies during UNC’s first Tenure in HOLLAND…Coonilal
Himself…do you think he might have info. On WHO may have built a mall in HOLLAND with stolen tax payers’ money??
Check out the sunshine #135, Friday 18th December 2015..T.G. Mendes…study the indian political mind…could you IMAGINE a national of an independent nation, criticizing the Premier of The said Nation Dr. Eric Williams for saying “Massa Day done”….??? This is a perfect example of the difference in mindset between the two ethnic groups…T.G. mendes is an Indian!…..so….indentureship is supposed to have bee ‘just as bad’ as slavery, and yet there are no signs that the indian community harbours enmity towards the former colonizers…why does Geddes Granger & these black power types keep propagating that their was a unity against colonialism?? T.G. Mendes’ rhetoric is typical of ‘the indian narrative’…How is saying Massa Day Done inciting hatred & violence?? T.G. Mendes, just like his ancestors LOVED Massa…Massa was Brahmin…what i find particularly Disgusting is How T.G. Mendes ran for office under ILP hoping to squeeze into office…and all the articles likse this one where he attacks african leaders & history….he paused them (his true views ) until his opportunity for office passed…then he starts back…could you imagine him (another devNt) getting into office under another ‘unity’ bandwagon like NAR?? This guy is INDIAN…his last name Mendes is potugese, but i don’t know how he got it..maybe it was a name change or what is typical in T&T, where a more than likely mulatto portugese married an indian and subsequent generations were married into indian families…so the last name sticks but the culture & ethnicity has been ‘mixed over’ for generations…or it could have been adoption…i know of persons who are indian and adopted from white & mulatto families, growing up with different last names…but what is most important is the reLity that people in T&T socialize & form biasesaccording to phenotype….this is why you have alot of mulatto-indian social circles, marriages, political unions etc.. (straight Hair/Soft hair xoalition)…a ‘caste’ system if you will….so when you have people who are clearly ant african & anti pnm claiming political/social neutrality becUse of their last name or apparently not being indian or pure indian…think AGAIN…is it a coincidence T.G. Mendes never shows his picture alongside his vicious articles??, but he comes on air to say “i am not aware of any african or indian ancestry in my family”…this is to mask bias from ignorant people who have archaic concepts of race
Yoruba, you surprised me with THAT particular link in reference to the ‘indian policy’…JAW is basically discrediting the possibility of the letter & its intentions…absolving Kamla, devant & the entire UNC…you see JAW is the same person who puja’d Hanuman…remember?? He is also the wealthiest & mostmpowerful African T&T & quite possibly in the caribbean, and chose to use hiw0s wealth, power & international influence, to enrich & empower RACIST, Anti-African Indians…en masse…think about it…it’s typical of African people with power & money…they rode him WELL into office! All those wealthy indians contribute to their community…jobs, scholarships, contracts….but JAW, one of the few africans with this power, threw it behind INDIANS…do you remember all those scholarships he gleefully gave to Indians in central?? And boasted of it?? No Africans…just Indians….how many of them voted for him on sept 7th?? They sucked him dry of wealth, african trust via voting ,international influence, usefulness…Hema Ramkissoon i beleive, was also in his employ…which i’m sure paid well & allowed her earn well, meet famous people…fifa officials etc…that is how dangerous African People are to their group…there are no shortages in opportunities for indian people among themselves…they support one another & own many businesses where they employ their OWN…my point from the befinning is that JAW would discredit the indian policy, because clearly he is unaware of the CORE tenets of Hinduism & Indian culture with regards to African people/Black skin….the ‘Rig Veda’ of ‘Hindu’ scriptures, writtwn by the Aryans (ancestors of Brahmins & Upper Castes) refers to the indigenous Indians as “Black skinned” “Noseless” & “Malignant” ..this is part of the worldview of those of that faith to people who look like JAW…contemptuous & scornful…but not of the $$$…
Also yoruba….do you remember when JAW & kenrick bulldozed the re-route movement murtis.??? Do you remember a member of the re route called JAW (on camera) a Rawan?? ….do yoh also remember that in a press conference ANAND of all people said that referring to JAW as rawan was RACIST language?? Lol…you see, it suited the PIP to denounce the re-route movement in any way oossible…someone should have asked ANAND WHY…WHY was it racist to refer to JAW as ‘Rawan’ ???
Kenneth Lalla in today’s Express:
I assume that Lalla has paraphrased Section 56 correctly. This is interesting from the perspective that we have another case of an office-holder, under the relevant law creating the office, being granted a discretionary power. In this it is comparable to the EBC’s discretionary power now being challenged before the courts by the same miscreants that seek now to assert that the Central Bank Governor (CBG) properly exercised his discretionary power to reveal the top 18 uers of forex.
I do not at all doubt that that discretion is available to the CBG. The question that arises is whether that discretion was properly exercised. As I argued in the case of the EBC matter, the test that must apply to determine whether discretion has been abused, is whether the exercise of that discretion was both arbitrary and capricious.
In the case of the EBC matter, it is quite clear that the EBC acted well within its constitutional mandate. That constitutional mandate gives the EBC the sole authority to conduct general elections, therefore wide discretion. The exercise of that discretion may be challenged, of course, but the reasonable basis of such challenge, must be that the EBC acted in a way calculated to void its mandate of delivering free and fair elections representing the will of the people. Absent such showing, it is impossible to show that the EBC was either arbitrary or capricious in the exercise of its constitutional discretion.
In the case of the CBG matter, the matter is different, in the following way: Section 56 as paraphrased by Lalla establishes the general priciple and expectation of privacy. That is the benchmark. However, the law wisely anticipates that there may be instances where that expectation of privacy must be breached, and gives the CBG the discretionary power to do so. That is the effect of the “except” clause. But it also establishes the expectation of privacy as the benchmark norm, in the “shall” clause. Indeed the “shall” clause goes so far as to establish that any unwarranted breach of privacy rights, “shall be liable” to criminal proceedings.
What this means is that the CBG is actually criminally liable for the breach of confidentiality, absent a showing of necessity. Where the EBC’s discretionary power is constitutionally wide, placing the burden of proof on any challenger to its exercise, the CBG’s discretionary power is statutorily narrow, and certainly is not a constitutional power. Any breach of confidentiality must be pursuant to a necessity of “objects”, as established under the “except” clause. This means that the burden of proof rests on the CBG to show in any instance that the breach of confidentiality was necessary for him to fulfill his statutory mandate. Failure to prove necessity then amounts to a showing of having been arbitrary and capricious in the exercise of his discretion.
How does the CBG attempt to prove necessity? He asserts a public “right to know”. This cannot be right, because in the very Section 56, it puts him and every officer of the Central Bank expressly under notice that they “shall be liable” to criminal proceedings for any confidentiality breach. Therefore, Section 56 implicitly denies any principle of the public “right to know”. The populist argument simply holds no water. It is also clearly morally reprehensible. Justice ought to be “no respecter of persons”; Acts 10:34. It cannot be one rule for the big sawatee, and another rule for the poor; one rule for the french creole an’ dem, another rule for the indo, and yet another for the afro. Common law would not entertain such distinctions for a second, and neither does the relevant statutory law here being examined.
In any case, to stand any chance of prevailing, the disclosure must at least answer the public-interest question at issue: “wey de money gorn?”. To address that question, it is the *use* of the forex that is relevant, i.e. the breakdown minimally as between actual imports vs. mere capital outflow possibly in support of nefarious purposes, e.g. fattening a forex account in Japan based on ill-gotten gains. To address that question, a mere listing of the top 18 (why stop at 18?) receivers of forex simply will not suffice, and not even the lowliest Central Bank economist would suggest such a thing. Furthermore, the *use* question, and the *change-in-use* question that is also relevant, can be answered without in the first instance naming any names at all, and certainly without applying some arbitrary cut-off in the naming of names. The necessity test for naming the “top 18” fails. Therefore, the burden of proof cannot be met by the CBG. On that basis alone, the CBG not only should be fired, but he should be liable to criminal proceedings against him, as Section 56 establishes.
Now comes via Disclosure Today (DT), a hitherto unknown organization, advancing an argument from transparency. The sum of the argument appears to be that the CBG is granted some discretion (true), therefore that discretion may be exercised, and furthermore should be exercised in a manner giving greater weight to transparency, and lesser weight to the statutory duty of confidentiality. This argument too must fail, and for the same reason as before. Lack of necessity. In order to address the public-interest question, “wey de money gorn?”, it is first of all necessary to give a different answer than the disclosure given, which does *not* answer the public-interest question, and second, the public-interest question may be properly answered without in the first instance naming any names.
To sum up: a power of discretion where granted in law, may obviously be challenged. The basis of challenge must revolve around the reasonableness of the exercise of discretion. In the case of the EBC matter, the burden of proof is on the challenger to show that the exercise of discretion was arbitrary and capricious, having regard to the purpose of the discretionary mandate. In the case of the CBG matter, relevant statute goes so far as to threaten criminal liability of the CBG where the duty of confidentiality is breached, therefore placing the burden of proof on him should he –in the exercise of discretion also granted– breach that duty of confidentiality. In the first case, the UNC cannot prove the EBC was arbitrary and capricious. And in the second case, the CBG cannot prove necessity for the confidentiality breach.
In both cases, the UNC operatives seek to shift the burden of proof, with paid lawyers and paid media hacks deployed to speak out of both sides of their mouth. And why? Because they are following a monstrously evil “Indian Policy” the 1st item of which is to “make the country ungovernable”.
May PM Rowley treat with these matters with the firmness that is needed, that the ship of state may right itself despite every attempt to make the country ungovernable. May the wicked miscreants who seek such an object be exposed, and put to flight.
Shalom.
“…but God shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind. And behold at eveningtide trouble; and before the morning he is not. This is the portion of them that spoil us, and the lot of them that rob us.” (Isaiah 17:13-14)
Quite an interesting summation Yoruba. It would seem like the UNC and its operatives, want to be right on both sides of the coin. Not acting precisely on this issue will come to hunt Dr. Rowley later on. There is something at work here, whether it is called hindutva, Indian policy or just plain evil, there is a network of operatives that is in sync to undermine the best intentions of the PNM administration.
THANK YOU! Exactly my point! I’m glad that it is well and precisely perceived.
Now let us continue to pray that PM Rowley likewise is well seized of the matter, and well advised.
For that he will need need to pay greater heed to spiritual and political advisers than to legal advisers. The latter in T&T tend too much to the Mendonca-esque, –even when they are not part of the UNC plot,– because they have not enough grasp of the common-sense *moral* imperative at play in any given matter. Of what use is the law if not guided by a proper moral compass?
Shalom.
Alyssa, your comments about JAW are right on point.
I refer to the Indian Policy itself, not to JAW’s commentary. I thought at the time that his commentary was pusillanimous and weak. He is still in some state of denial. I see also that T.G. Mendes engages in a lot of sucking up to the self-described HNIC.
I have some sympathy for JAW, as a brother who for the moment has lost his way, and is paying the price:
“As the partridge sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not; so he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool.” (Jeremiah 17:11)
So he has to deal with the U.S. Atty General, and to see his sons in jail used against him in the bringing of charges. Thatin itself is the punishment of God.
But God promises to abundantly pardon, and so JAW may yet redeem himself. I pray so.
Shalom.
Every comment which I have tried to post has been rejected by Trinidad&Tobago newsblog.
Has this website been taken over by the PNM?
Since 2009 and up to 2015, our country has been spending more than it earned by approving deficit Budgets, with one exception — in 2010. Our country’s total debt, as reported by the Central Bank, in 2006 was $26.582 billion; in 2007 it was $36.178 billion; in 2008, $41.691 billion; in 2009, $43.533 billion; 2010 when the PP Government assumed the reins for our finances it was $48.100 billion; 2011, $51.2013; 2012, $61.680; 2013, $66.866 billion; and in 2014, $79.121 billion.
This is an increase in our public debt of $31,021 billion, an increase of 64 percent, since 2010.
While Trinidad and Tobago has no control over the world’s market prices, our government does have the responsibility for balancing our annual Budget.
Our 2015/2016 Budget provides for an expenditure of $63.048 billion with revenue of $60.287 billion, a deficit of $2.761 billion.
This is what the PNM left the PP to deal with:
Here are some examples:
CLICO $25 BILLION
Ministry of Housing $8 BILLION
WASA $4 BILLION
Outstanding VAT $2 BILLION
Owed Contractors $2 BILLION
Loan for Waterfront $2.7 BILLION
Outstanding Fuel Subsidy $6 BILLION
Loan for Tarouba Stadium $500 MILLION
Loan for RACKET RAIL $500 MILLION
Outstanding Wage Negotiations $9 BILLION
Almost $60 BILLION in outstanding debts and that’s just a fraction, so when PNM and the so-called economists asking where the money going, they must speak.
Now word that $9 billion given to the NHA prior to 2009 remains unaccounted for ….
Great is the PNM.
Damn right great is the PNM…fool me once (1986)…fool me twice (1995)…fool me thrice (2010)…wise africans…listen carefully…again the racist indian politicians in all their disguises seek to go back to rocking the political boat as an opposition, hoping to use PERIPHERAL issues (non ethno-religious) to swamp PNM supporters with budget, nepotism, trumped up corruption etc…as we have learned PAINFULLY in their three stints in office (1988,1995,2010)…that they & apparently, unfortunately their supporters (indian community) only want political office for ethnic control of the society…and based on the term of queen Kamla & her doting supporters…to subordiante African culture, freedom of speech & economically, politically, socially etc…VOTING by African people with any shred of dignity & intelligence HAS to adapt to these unfortunate realities of the Indian community?& politics.!.,just as they vote for what is best for them….we must do what is best for US….it cannot be that one ethnic group is allowed to be sectarian & self absorbed…malicious even in its political outlook but the other must be ‘fair’ & ‘for the goodmof everyone’ at the EXPENSE of dignity, freedom & SURVIVAL….based on what Queen K did, with her merry bunch of Racist Kleptos…and got a resounding applause of 340000 votes…we can expect them to literally get away with public hangings the next time theyf get in…and they will be supported…e.g. many Trinidadians & Tobagonians (even UNC supporters) suspect a former Minister of ORGANIZING Dana Seetahal’s demise.
Now…whether or not these suspicions are valid or not is irrelevant at this point…the fact that the suspicion is there & the support for a second term was that high…confirms that politics for the indian community has NOTHING to do with anything but ‘Race’ & every other issue that may be of importance to others (“non indians”) are merely ‘Peripheral’ to RACE.
Therefore…allowing oneself to be ‘wound up’ again as many africans were against patrick manning ,calder heart & PNM in 2010, thereby ushering UNC/PP REIGN cannot be allowed to happen again…
You are mentally ill. One human being could not be this stupid.
“Has this website been taken over by the PNM?” -Tman
I’m not sure about THAT BUTTTTTTT If it is as you allege…from WHOM was it taken??? The UNC??? I could live with THAT!!…consider this & every blog as a ‘time-share’…when UNC is in office, the Hindu spy agency could stifle dissenting views & yourself,Mammoo & all of your ‘original Nazi’ friends get to have ALLLLL the fun…BUTTTTT when they are OUT…we ALL get to have a say….but if course, Your sense of aryan superiority is now flacid 🙁 & deflated…as it naturally is (without state ‘assistance’)
Total BS written by racist PNM Lambie..he should inform the public about the over $ 1 Trillion laundered by the pnm thieves during their last term…taken from Mamoo above…”This is what the PNM left the PP to deal with:
Here are some examples:
CLICO $25 BILLION
Ministry of Housing $8 BILLION
WASA $4 BILLION
Outstanding VAT $2 BILLION
Owed Contractors $2 BILLION
Loan for Waterfront $2.7 BILLION
Outstanding Fuel Subsidy $6 BILLION
Loan for Tarouba Stadium $500 MILLION
Loan for RACKET RAIL $500 MILLION
Outstanding Wage Negotiations $9 BILLION
Almost $60 BILLION in outstanding debts and that’s just a fraction, so when PNM and the so-called economists asking where the money going, they must speak.
Now word that $9 billion given to the NHA prior to 2009 remains unaccounted for ….
Great is the PNM.”