Wednesday, September 16 2009

Panday: Prioritise projects on a need basis

7. Implement the breathalyser law

8. Increase the compensation for victims of crime from the current limit of $25,000 to $250,000

9. Introduce technology to speed traps – speed guns, traffic light cameras

10. Ensure existing CC cameras operating and include business centres on EW corridor – not only highway.

11. More policemen. There are currently 1,250 shortfall in the compliment of 7,500 officers established many years ago.

There is therefore need for increased appointment of police officers, with better screening of applicants and better terms and conditions.

12. Provide adequate funding for the EOC

13. Establish a proper witness protection programme

14. Appoint a DPP and Sol Gen



Labour

1. Increase minimum wage to $15-$20 – a living wage

2. Increase old age grant to $3,000 and index to inflation

3. Increase payments – disability grants etc

4. Increase enforcement of OSHA including foreign contractors and workers

5. Ensure compliance (even playing field) with minimum wages, terms and conditions of employment

6. Employ CEPEP in more productive endeavors including the agricultural and manufacturing sectors

7. Increase allowance for approved deferred annuity

8. Increase the limit on pensions to $5,000 to allow pensioners to access the old age grant and NIS pension



Works and Transport



1. Reprioritise projects on a need basis, and particularly putting a stop to new projects which have been assigned to foreign contractors

2. Demand cost benefit analyses which must justify for every new project to be started

3. Stop the rapid rail project until a feasibility study can prove its value

4. Investigate with intent on pursue criminal charges based on the current revelations of the Uff commission.

There is no reason to wait until the commission submits the report as the information and allegations are already in the public domain.

The DPP assistant should act now

5. A comprehensive bridge assessment and maintenance programme is required

6. A logical approach to road repair – the highway between Betham and the overpass is being paved again for the umpteen time in the last five years but many roads in this country are in complete disrepair causing protests by residents

7. A comprehensive drainage plan is required to address flooding and to take into account existing and proposed development

8. True attempt to introduce CNG stations and facilities



The economy



1. There is need to stimulate the economy. The best way to do this is to stimulate local industry including the construction and manufacturing sectors

This necessitates local contractors to be employed – the importance if internal circulation of the investment as opposed to external migration of the resources assigned to stimulate the economy.

2. EXIM bank/ADB– increase allocation and reorient to facilitate easier and less expensive access to funding for local exporters and for importers with heavy local content

3. Direct tax concession to investment in agriculture to stimulate greater private sector involvement

4. 24/7 operations of the port, and the establishment of Pt Lisas as a fully-operational port

5. Listing of profitable state enterprises on the stock exchange as a way of increasing the range of equity available

6. Balance the budget by reducing projects which are not critically necessary at this time

7. Reduce the non-energy deficit



Health



1. Point Fortin hospital

2. Chaguanas Hospital

3. Couva health facility to be upgraded given the development level of Pt Lisas



Agriculture and the Environment



1. Embark on a proper land distribution scheme to genuine farmers

2. Stop using agricultural lands for housing

3. Stop the smelter project and convert to more environmentally sound projects including light manufacture and agriculture in the area already graded

4. Tax incentive for environmentally friendly projects and investments

5. Promotion of recycling as a major business with concessions

6. Release for public examination, the National Transportation Plan which has been completed since 2007

7. Introduce a Praedial Larceny Squad within the police service

8. Link the programme of the alleviation of flooding with the plan to irrigation for farming