Post-budget
forum knocks Sir Ellis, draft constitution
By
Louis B Homer
South Bureau
Trinidad Express
Port
Spain
Petroleumworldtt.com
10 08 06
THE neglect of the agricultural sector, distrust
for politicians and criticism about former President
Sir Ellis Clarke and his draft constitution formed
the basis of Thursday's post-budget forum organised
by the Oilfields Workers' Trade Union and the Co-operative
Credit Union League of Trinidad and Tobago.
Panellist
Dr Winford James, a UWI lecturer, said the most
backward thing that Prime Minister Patrick Manning
did was to appoint Sir Ellis Clarke to write a constitution.
He
said such an action "is an indication of the
lack of trust in people like myself".
James
said the time had come for young people "not
to go on to support any political party if they
cannot do better".
The
Central Bank of Trinidad also came in for criticism.
"The
Central Bank has demonstrated ignorance about the
credit union movement and you wonder if they have
the capabilities to develop a programme to educate
small investors," said James.
Dennis
Pantin, another panellist, said the budget did not
outline measures to encourage the diversification
of products to meet the challenges of the global
market.
Pantin
also projected that with the number of cars on the
roads "very soon this country will lapse into
a gridlock".
Trinidad
Express
Saturday, October 7th 2006
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