Yesterday’s overcast skies in the capital weren’t exactly Carnival weather. But then Carnival 2016 season has been unusual. Next week’s street party will tell if it was a visitor-dominated fete and if locals opted out as has occurred over the season. This, fuelled by Government’s structural adjustment reorienting the population into fiscal discipline to handle low oil prices.
While Trinis know how to economise, the seriousness with which the Prime Minister’s belt-tightening advice has been taken has caused some quarters to be taxed (beyond VAT) such as Carnival.
T&T nationals’ penchant for buying the most expensive fete tickets—a status symbol, over the years seems—was quickly shelved, the first time in many years some popular fetes were cancelled following poor ticket sales.
And generally, cutbacks plus crime have equalled lower numbers not only at fetes, but also in some areas at nightfall.
One event in the fete “fallback” may have also alerted to Government, issues it has to address soon. It’s been more than ironic that ticket sales for the ruling PNM’s annual Balisier House Carnival event fared badly enough to be cancelled.
That has caused some concern among certain PNM levels, insiders said, since the fete was part of PNM’s 60th anniversary celebration and was to have occurred when the party would have ordinarily have been perceived as being on political honeymoon, a mere four-plus months after its September general election victory.
Whether just belt-tightening or backlash from that, the situation may speak to a disconnect between the party which put the Government in power and the administration.
Insiders have noted general levels of apprehension and discontent; in the case of the latter, resulting from the economic downturn and in the former, regarding what lies ahead following the March property tax, reviews of various sectors and Government’s mid-year financial review.
Last Tuesday, vocal Charlotte Street vendors demonstrating outside the Prime Minister’s office, wore red with at least one red PNM constituency T-shirt in evidence.
They were two other demonstrations prior to that, OPM officials said.
PNM heartland Laventille West resident Florence Holder, among 12 rendered homeless when a fire gutted her home recently, while greatly satisfied with Social Development assistance, is less than, with MP response. “I don’t want handouts, only assistance to help me to my feet.
But more compassion, empathy was needed in handling my case.” Holder cried as she related that experience.
Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi, on Wednesday noted Government is very conscious it has 54 months of office left, “the clock is ticking,” that T&T is at a burgeoning crisis point on crime and “anxiety is high.”
PNM insiders also concede Government’s outreach hasn’t succeeded in fully communicating strategies and plans properly enough to engender the type of confidence required (amid economic challenges), for when the “honeymoon” ends (soon) and the Opposition goes full cry (its supporters hope).
Press statements and limited opportunities to question officials will hardly cut it in the face of social outcry on austerity and related measures.
A Government retreat is being planned after Carnival, possibly in Tobago where reflection and realignment will be done.
PNM sources added participants will take stock and realign ahead of Government’s mid-year review when further planning of the T&T road ahead will be given.
Given the environment, they believe it’s necessary well in advance of upcoming October Local Government polls, and Tobago House of Assembly’s January 2017 polls.
Prime Minister Keith Rowley will also reinforce T&T’s image regionally via his Caricom debut at the upcoming Belize Intersessional.
Chairing Caricom’s Security committee, his move to take minister in National Security Dennis Moses and other Foreign Affairs officials with him, indicates the possibility of reinforcing external co-operation links for the region to fight terrorism and associated issues which Caricom has expressed concern about.
Locally, Rowley’s innovative national security hierarchy—expanded to three before “Batman and Robin” jokes could kick in on the pairing of Moses with Minister Edmund Dillon—now boasts military, police and diplomatic skills which will leave government without excuse if T&T crime worsens.
Time, statistics and public feedback will tell how management effective, the “super” team is.
