Saturday, February 4 2012

LEADERS of the People’s Partnership coalition Government on Thursday night agreed to hold more frequent meetings in order to discuss issues affecting the coalition Government, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said yesterday.

“We all committed to having meetings more frequently,” Persad-Bissessar said. “We are going to try to meet as often as we can; as regularly as we can.” She did not commit to a fixed time-line, noting that her day to day functions as Prime Minister pose a scheduling challenge.

Alluding to protesters in her constituency who have complained that they were not able to see the Prime Minister this week, Persad-Bissessar said this could not be avoided because of the demands on her time.

“My husband and children have the same complaint,” she said. “I just don’t have every minute of the day free. If I had some clones that would help.” She said the coalition, at a three-hour meeting on Thursday evening, re-committed to several issues such as: public procurement reform; Constitution reform; and dealing with divisive forces in society intent on using race to fracture the population.

In terms of how the coalition is functioning, Persad-Bissessar noted that the views of the coalition members often diverge publicly. But this, she said, was not necessarily a bad thing.

She added, “what is more important, in the long-run, is how these views all coalesce.” National Joint Action Committee (NJAC) leader Makandal Daaga said there is no alternative to the current coalition Government. He attacked the Opposition saying it was seeking to divide the country along racial lines.

“I can understand why the PNM is following the agenda of race,” he said. He criticised the media, saying it was treating the Prime Minister unfairly.

“The press must criticise less and analyse the behaviour pattern of our country,” he said. “I think that the media, have been very unfair to the Prime Minister.”

“Really?” Persad-Bissessar asked, in a quick response to the comment. “I don’t think so.”

To media personnel present she later added, “I don’t think you are unfair. It’s sometime the headlines don’t reflect the story.”