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“I have a right to call it as I see it and, at the moment, the Ship of T&T is drifting perilously close to the rocks, with the captain appearing not to have a steady hand at the wheel.”
In the following Letter to the Editor, former TDC chairperson Dennise Demming shares her issues with the current PNM government and discusses the leadership required from Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley:
(Copyright Power102fm)
“Dennise, why are you being disloyal to PNM?” a friend asked me, after an interview I did on the CNMG morning programme on 5 July.
For the record, my only loyalty is to Trinidad and Tobago—the country of my birth—and whatever actions I take will not be tainted by the deep stain of a political party.
Over the past few days, I have reflected on why I feel the need to speak truth to power and refuse to let anyone silence my voice. In reflecting on my political involvement, I was reminded about why I decided to support Dr Keith Rowley in 2010.
In the lead-up to the General Elections in 2010, the ground was signalling that they would either stay away from the polls or not vote for the PNM. I was on the periphery of the discussions about what would happen the morning after the defeat.
We speculated that it would be a landslide defeat. I had one thought: no matter how bad the defeat, a strong democracy requires a strong Opposition!
(Copyright Frederic Dubray/AFP 2015)
My motivation was that democracy must prevail and whatever I could do to support that democracy is what I would do. I chose to ensure that our country had what I deemed to be a strong Opposition.
At the time, I placed my bets on Dr Rowley and joined his campaign team. Since then, I have worked long and hard for what I thought was a man ready for leadership, a person who would be prepared to make tough decisions that will take our country into the 21st Century.
For several years, I have written and expressed my views on political leadership, especially when that leadership appears to be functioning in the interest of less than 1 percent of our country.
I have a right to call it as I see it and, at the moment, the Ship of T&T is drifting perilously close to the rocks with the captain appearing not to have a steady hand at the wheel.
The analogy of the ship was used by Rowley in 2010 to comment on the fate of then Prime Minister Patrick Manning. I am just reminding the current Prime Minister of that analogy and that, once the ship sails, the captain has to be constantly in touch with the bridge and make the adjustments to keep the ship on course.
(Copyright Andrea De Silva)
I am reminding him that the port of call is unclear, the ocean is rough and his sailors have not found their sea legs—so the ship is on rough waters. We have virtually created a perfect storm.
My advice to Prime Minister Rowley: Our systems have to be re-designed to suit our future. Grasp system redesign as your legacy item.
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Dennise Demming grew up in East Dry River, Port of Spain and has more than 30 years experience as a communication strategist, political commentator and event planner. She has 15 years experience lecturing business communications at UWI and is the co-licensee for TEDxPortofSpain. Dennise is a member of the HOPE political party.
Steups
Sounds familiar, clearly not only in T&T.
I concur..
Ride out.
Leadership, what leadership?
Step down
Trinidad sink since Rowley us in Govt He Toppled the country it’s upside-down ,
And you still breathing,& eating,to post nonsense, how T’dad sinking,Then Country is upside down.Hog Wash.
Didn’t you all read his book.
Not that I did.
Mason Hall to White Hall.
In my view, his objective was getting to White Hall, not what he will do after getting to White Hall.
Remember in his first press meeting he admitted that he didn’t realize how much work the office of PM has.
Like all government workers, he thought just getting the wuk was it and the rest was a gravy train ride to retirement with full benefits.
Smh.
The stupidity of your ignorance has been greatly developed,You did not read his book why did you mention it.Damn stupid to say the least.
Well Clarence Raeburn, Knowing the individual, his personal life and political career do you still think I need to read his story?
You work at Ministry of Works. Here’s a question to you, why does it take 18 months to construct 400′ of box drain in Tobago Mr. Clarence Raeburn?
I’m of the opinion that you are envious of him & his achievements .Tell me where in T’go that 400′ of Box Drain took 18mths to construct,I’m sure it did not Cost Tax Payers Millions of $$ in comparison to those constructed in T’dad by the UNC Con-men/Contractors.
Look out unc trolls on tread
UNC trolls!!!!! Huh????? Looks like one runs the risk of being labelled a UNC or PNM troll if one expresses an opinion in opposition to either party? Out with free thinking!!!
By the way , which ship is sinking, he had the task of steadying the ship after the last administration took it into dangerous waters and it’s floating again with repairs but there is much more to be done
Be objective. It is not only the last administration that took the ship into dangerous waters.
Has there been any time that the boat has not been in dangerous waters and presumably sinking?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7C3ezL3cnXM
The captain must go down with his ship. “The RATS will jump off.
He is. But the ship is sinking.
He’s a white boy, now.
He just wearing the captains hat he’s not the captain
If he is not then who
The corporations, social elites, and thiefs in high places whom he serves.
DD, short and bitter-sweet.
I have to say that I don’t know too many men who have the ability to rough up a man so gently yet so thoroughly; it is largely a female talent, methinks.