Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar has characterized the current state of Trinidad and Tobago as deeply disorderly, describing the country as a lawless environment while pledging decisive action to restore order and protect law-abiding citizens.
Responding to questions from Newsday regarding the government’s decision to double traffic fines as part of broader road safety and fiscal measures, Persad Bissessar said the policies were clearly outlined in the national budget and accompanying Finance Bill. She rejected suggestions that the measures were merely revenue driven, emphasizing that the objective is to re establish discipline and accountability across society.
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The prime minister said the erosion of order in the country has been fueled by a culture of entitlement among some citizens who believe they can act without regard for others or face no consequences for their behavior. She stressed that this attitude cuts across social, economic and demographic lines.
Persad Bissessar said the government’s primary responsibility is to improve the lives of citizens who obey the law and strive daily to live responsibly. She said these individuals have been disadvantaged for too long by a system that has failed to enforce rules consistently and fairly.
She stated that while individuals are free to make personal lifestyle choices, including engaging in risky or irresponsible behavior, such freedom does not remove the obligation to face the consequences of those actions. She warned that the government intends to ensure that accountability is enforced across all sectors of society.
In a sharp political critique, Persad Bissessar accused the opposition People’s National Movement of failing to act in the best interests of its supporters or the wider population. She questioned the opposition’s priorities, noting that its leader focused on the cost of alcohol during the budget debate rather than issues such as health care, education, national security and sustainable employment.
She further alleged that the opposition has promoted policies that undermine social development, including what she described as support for substance use, gambling and informal labor over long term economic opportunity. Persad Bissessar claimed that while opposition lawmakers reject these outcomes for their own families, they have been willing to endorse them for the broader population.
The prime minister concluded that her administration remains committed to restoring order, strengthening enforcement and creating an environment in which citizens can pursue safe, stable and dignified lives, supported by sustainable jobs and effective public services.
