Soon after she was sworn in as the first female Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago on May 26, 2010, Kamla Persad-Bissessar swung into action against the rising violence and gang-related offences that were beginning to rock the Caribbean Republic which has had its share of political and economic problems.
With local government elections due on July 26, Ms Bissessar is the last person to be told that safety and security were among the prime issues that led to the snap elections and the downfall of former Prime Minister Patrick Manning. Her political party, the United National Congress (UNG) and the People’s Partnership, a coalition of five parties, must prove their mettle by delivering on their election promises.
Law and Order has been a problem in recent years in this archipelagic state and having accused the previous Government of being soft on criminals, Ms Bissessar is keen to prove that she can be a tough leader.
No bail for offenders
Her Government will soon introduce the Bail Law, which would make gang-related offences non-bailable.
The new administration is planning to have joint Police and Defence Force patrols, which will also require changes to the existing statutes.
As a true politician, the new Prime Minister does not lose an opportunity to have a swipe at her political opponents.
She condemned Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley and the People’s National Movement (PNM) for abstaining from voting on the selection of the new Commissioner of Police, Dwayne Gibbs last fortnight.
“We are at a crucial juncture in our nation’s safety and security issue. As we met to approve the appointment of a new Police Commissioner, Dr Rowley washes off his hands and abstains like Pontius Pilate (who, according to the Four Canonical Christian Gospels abandoned Jesus and sent him to death), while our sons and daughters are dying and blood is being spilled on the soil of this land,” she said.
Ms Bissessar said Local Government elections were important and that her Party would stand by its election pledge.
“It is critical for us to win in the Local Government election. Otherwise, the Opposition (PNM) will frustrate our efforts to serve the people.
“We need to improve our healthcare and street lighting, build schools, roads, bridges and drainage and quell crime,” she said.
An illustrious career
Born and raised in Siparia, Ms Bissessar is a graduate of the University of the West Indies, Norwood Technical College and Hugh Wooding Law School in England. She later obtained her Executive Masters Degree in Business Administration from the Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business in Trinidad.
She also holds BA (Honours) Degrees in Arts and Law, a Diploma in Education and a Legal Education Certificate.
She has been an elected member of the Trinidad and Tobago Parliament from Siparia constituency in 1995 and served as Attorney General. She became Education Minister when the UNG formed the Government in December 2000.
The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is in the southern Caribbean, located North East of the South American country of Venezuela and south of Grenada in the Lesser Antilles. It shares maritime boundaries with other nations including Barbados to the northeast, Guyana to the southeast, and Venezuela to the south and west.
The country covers an area of 5,128 square kilometres (1,980 sq mi) and consists of two main islands, Trinidad and Tobago, and numerous smaller landforms.
Trinidad is the larger and more populous of the main islands; Tobago is much smaller, comprising about 6% of the total area and 4% of the entire population, which is estimated at 1.3 million.
The nation lies outside the hurricane belt.
Photo : Kamla Persad-Bissessar
