Trinidad and Tobago: Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley is suffering from ‘pip’ because Trinidad and Tobago is in crisis, and he is silent, says Opposition Leader Kamla Persad- Bissessar.
‘Pip’ is a common occurrence among chickens which involves the development of a hard scale at the tip of the tongue.
According to local sources, it is caused when the fowl scrambles to eat as much as it can, as quickly as it is can, leading to poor respiratory behaviour and ultimately respiratory distress. The breathing through the mouth, and the taking in of wind through the mouth, causes the tip of the tongue to dry out and get hard. The disease is treated with ashes.
Persad-Bissessar said Rowley is quiet while this country is gripped with murder, mayhem, child abuse and a Government minister is allegedly involved in land grabbing.
She added that the Prime Minister had the police Special Branch report into the alleged questionable activities of Government Minister Foster Cummings since 2019 and, instead of taking action, promoted Cummings.
‘Remember once he talked about who has ‘pip’, well now Rowley got ‘pip’ because we are not hearing a word, so many things happening… the crisis in this country and not a word from this man,’ said Persad-Bissessar.
Speaking at the United National Congress (UNC) virtual meeting on Monday night, Persad-Bissessar said every time the PNM (People’s National Movement) is in power, there is a high murder rate, and she chastised National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds, whom she described as a ‘clown’. She said more than 3,000 murders have taken place under this Rowley-led PNM.
Persad-Bissessar reminded Rowley of his words in 2012 when he said, ‘If the government can’t deal with it (crime), then the government itself is part of the problem.’
She said the Prime Minister and his ministers, seven years later, have proven to be parts of the problem.
Persad-Bissessar said it is alleged that Cummings’ private companies Pical Services Limited (PSL) and Cyldeon Enterprises Limited (CEL) employed a subcontractor for several site visits in the Couva area, although he is not the owner of a registered business.
Persad-Bissessar said it is alleged that this person is a reputed drug dealer and gang leader.
‘Are these things true, Foster?’ she asked.
‘It is alleged that (name called) runs a brisk cocaine, guns and ammunition trade on behalf of the said Foster Cummings. Is this true, Foster? It is alleged this person is in charge of several gangs situated in the Couva/Pt Lisas area?’ she added.
Persad-Bissessar said it is also alleged that this subcontractor is sent as ‘enforcer’ to acquire State lands on behalf of Cummings.
‘It is alleged that current owners or occupiers are offered a peppercorn rate to vacate lands, and if they refuse, thuggery and harassment is used to remove them. Is this also true, Foster?’ she asked.
Persad-Bissessar also questioned whether it is true that no officer from Couva Police Station can take action against Cummings.
‘It is further alleged that raids on the gangs situated on Railway Road, Couva, are not successful because of tip-offs. Is that true?’ she asked. She said it is further alleged that the subcontractor uses a local government vehicle with blue lights to transport guns and ammunition to buyers.
Persad-Bissessar said it is also alleged that some of the business of selling cocaine, guns and ammunition is transacted through a club (name called) located in Couva, and asked whether Cummings has any connection to this club.
She also asked whether Cummings knew a person (name called) attached to the Couva/Tabaquite/ Talparo Regional Corporation who drives the vehicles and delivers.
Persad-Bissessar asked if Cummings knows another Pical subcontractor (name called) who is allegedly involved in illegal transactions.
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Anglina Byron, developed a deep-seated passion for journalism. Anglina is recognized for her tenacity, strength, and unwavering commitment to delivering honest and reliable news across the Caribbean. She covers general affairs of the region.
