PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – On Friday, August 7th, Trinidad & Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar launched 20 Pledges for 2020, her plan for the next five years of a People’s Partnership government.
“We can continue to build a better Trinidad & Tobago by keeping our economy on track, continuing to invest in education and skills training to help people get better jobs, taking a zero tolerance approach to crime, so people feel safe and protected, delivering quality healthcare and building crucial infrastructure to link our communities and improve lives,” said Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.”
Over the last 5 years, the People’s Partnership government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has delivered significant achievements for the people of Trinidad and Tobago. Our country is healthier, safer, better educated and more prosperous.
With the launch of Kamla’s Plan, the Prime Minister has articulated how, under her leadership, the People’s Partnership government will continue to build on these achievements, delivering real results for the people of our country.
“I say directly to the people of Trinidad and Tobago that the polices contained within this manifesto will deliver more jobs; zero tolerance on crime; safer streets; improved childcare; new schools for your children; new roads creating jobs and linking communities; and new hospitals to care for your family,” said the Prime Minister.
Kamla’s Plan: 20 Pledges for 2020 provides specific, achievable goals for the People’s Partnership government to undertake and deliver on over the next five years focusing on the following areas: The Economy and Jobs, Crime, Healthcare, Education, Homes, Transport, Broadband, Gender Equality, Water, Sport and Good Governance.
This election is a clear choice for voters. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has laid out a clear plan to improve the lives of all the people of Trinidad and Tobago.
Selected Quotes from the Prime Minister’s Speech
On Heath Care
“We will provide improved free care at our 105 health centres across the country and at our hospitals for all pregnant mothers, babies and infants so that our children get the best possible start in life.”
On Education
“We will provide a place for every child at early childhood level, at primary and at secondary school. We will improve the quality of education for all in our country, school by school. We will develop and roll out a Comprehensive School Curriculum from the pre-primary to secondary education level.”
On Crime and Public Safety
“I am committed to ridding our country of the blight of crime and to ensuring law and order. Crime and law and order remain the number one issue facing our country and this is our top priority for our second term in office. I will take a zero tolerance approach to crime. In our next term in Office, we will continue the emphasis on more effective law enforcement, policing and border control. We will also strengthen surveillance and control of our territorial borders to stem the illegal entry of goods and people.”
On Clean Water
“Clean water supplies are vital. We have brought clean water supplies to 70 per cent of the population and will continue the development of water supplies with the construction of another 1000 kilometres of pipeline.”
On Local Infrastructure and Major Projects
“We will continue to link communities by building the Point Fortin Highway to San Fernando and Fyzabad, San Fernando to Mayaro Highway and the Port of Spain to Chaguaramas Highway/Causeway. We will alleviate traffic problems. Transit Hubs will be constructed in Chaguanas, Arima and St Augustine. Dedicated School Bus Transportation and dedicated Bus Services for Industrial Estate Workers will be developed. Two dedicated, predictable Bus Rapid Transit Systems from North to South and East to West will be introduced.”
Kamla’s Plan: 20 Pledges for 2020
The Economy and jobs
- We will double export of locally manufactured products by 2020
- We will increase employment in manufacturing by 50% by 2020
- We expect to see a doubling of exports in services by 2020 and a doubling of the number of jobs as well. We expect to see a dramatically higher contribution to GDP.
- Growth poles (economic centres) will be created in key areas to create jobs
- The green economy in Trinidad and Tobago will be developed creating jobs, new businesses and economic growth. The blue economy will be developed helping the coastal communities of Trinidad and Tobago rely on their aquatic resources for their survival. We will develop the silver economy to benefit our older citizens and stimulate our economy as a whole.
Crime
- The People’s Partnership remains committed to ridding our country of the blight of crime and to preserving law and order. Crime and law and order remain the number one issue facing our country and this is our top priority for our second term in office. Take a zero tolerance approach to crime.
- In our next term in Office, we will continue the emphasis on more effective law enforcement, policing and border control.
- We will also strengthen surveillance and control of our territorial borders to stem the illegal entry of goods and people.
Healthcare
- We will provide improved free care at our 105 health centres across the country and at our hospitals for all pregnant mothers, babies and infants so that our children get the best possible start in life.
Education
- We will provide a place for every child at early childhood level, at primary and at secondary school. We will improve the quality of education for all in our country, school by school.
- We will develop and roll out a Comprehensive School Curriculum from the pre-primary to secondary education level
Homes
- We will help every family who need a home to find a way to do so, through jobs, through programmes such as squatter regularisation, land for the landless, low cost mortgages, and home acquisition supported by HDC.
- We are committed to economic justice through widespread land ownership, home ownership and share ownership.
Transport
- We will link communities by building the Point Fortin Highway to San Fernando and Fyzabad, San Fernando to Mayaro Highway and the Port of Spain to Chaguaramas Highway/Causeway.
- We will alleviate traffic problems. Transit Hubs will be constructed in Chaguanas, Arima and St Augustine. Dedicated School Bus Transportation and dedicated Bus Services for Industrial Estate Workers will be developed. Two dedicated, predictable Bus Rapid Transit Systems from North to South and East to West will be introduced.
Broadband
- We are committed to the continuing development of a comprehensive broadband network.
Gender Equality
- We will address the issue of equal pay for equal work by men and women.
Water
- We will continue the development of water supplies with the construction of another 1000 kilometres of pipeline.
Sport
- We will transform the Tarouba facility into the Tarouba Sport Academy.
Good Governance
- We will ensure Good Governance through Procurement reform, an enlightened political party financing regime, free and fair elections and strong, independent institutions.
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