PNM
continues Vision 2020 plans in manifesto
Port Spain
Petroleumworldtt.com
28 07 07
Plans
to continue the Vision 2020 objectives of the
ruling People's National Movement (PNM)
are what have been offered by the party in
its manifesto for
the 2007 general election on November 5.
Many of the initiatives in the manifesto, which
the party launched at a grand ceremony at the ballroom
of the Hilton Trinidad hotel in St Ann's yesterday,
appear to be a continuation of the policies it
has initiated in the last six years it has been
in power.
Those policies are part of the PNM administration's
plan to have Trinidad and Tobago achieve developed
nation status by the year 2020.
At the launch yesterday, Energy Minister Dr Lenny
Saith, National Security Minister Martin Joseph,
Minister in the Finance Ministry Christine Sahadeo,
Works and Transport Minister Colm Imbert, Education
Minister Hazel Manning and Science, Technology
and Tertiary Education Minister Mustapha Abdul-Hamid
all delivered presentations on key aspects of the
manifesto.
Saith, in particular, revealed one planned objective
not contained in the manifesto.
He said the PNM plans to have an increase in the
exploration of the nation's bread and butter oil
and natural gas reserves over the next five years,
that would amount to US$1 billion worth of drilling
activities.
Prime Minister Patrick Manning also disclosed
yesterday that two vessels are now being refurbished
and outfitted for the Coast Guard to begin patrols
in early 2008, until the off-shore patrol vessels
and armed helicopters start arriving in the country
from 2009.
Some of the manifesto highlights are as follows:
- The recruitment of 750 police officers each
year amounting to a total of 3,750 additional police
officers from 2008 to 2013.
- Construction of five desalination plants at
appropriate coastal locations and the expansion
of the capacity of the existing plant
- Completion of the Trinidad Rapid Rail Project,
the Interchange at the intersection of the Uriah
Butler and Churchill-Roosevelt Highways.
- Expansion of the number of Sixth Form places
with the building of two new Sixth Form colleges
to have 25,000 places by 2015
- Reconstruction of over 150 primary schools including
denominational schools
- Lands formerly owned by Caroni (1975) Ltd and
other available State lands to be used to establish
large commercial farms through joint venture arrangements
with the private sector.
- Tax incentives and other schemes to keep doctors,
nurses and other health care professionals from
going abroad to seek better employment opportunities
- Establishment of a National Health Scheme under
which the State will maintain financial responsibility
for a range of health care services that will allow
each citizen will be exercise his or her choice
of provider.
Story
by Juhel
Browne, from the
Trinidad Express
- jbrowne@trinidadexpress.com
Trinidad
Express
Saturday, October 27th 2007
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