Letter to the Editor: Let’s Do This… When? Waiting in Vain for PNM Action


“I don’t know what or how many promises the government has delivered over the past 14 months. But that’s understandable because no one has communicated what the government intended to do so we don’t know how to measure progress.”

The following Letter to the Editor on the accomplishments of the PNM government (or the lack thereof) was submitted to Wired868 by Dennise Demming of Diego Martin:

It’s been 14 months since the 2015 General Elections and I still don’t know where the country is going. We seem to have fallen asleep. Fourteen months ago, Dr Keith Rowley got the job he applied for with the slogan: “Let’s do this!” Well, let’s do this now.

Photo: Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley gestures to supporters at Balisier House after the election results on September 7. (Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Photo: Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley gestures to supporters at Balisier House after the election results on September 7.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)

Let’s fix the crime situation; the four-hour daily commute to Port of Spain; the lack of availability of drugs in the hospitals. I see neither results nor plans—and on top of that I have to tolerate hapless Ministers. Here are two examples of their haplessness:

Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh recently talked on television about a plan he and someone hatched to catch a security officer not doing her job. I heard him say that he visited a health institution and pretended that he was an intruder and snuck past a security guard, who shouted after him but did not chase.


After about 15 minutes, he and his accomplice approached the security officer. From that incident he concluded that the security guard was not doing her job and he has put a plan in place to ensure that security personnel do their job.

What if the security guard had shot the Health Minister? Additionally is that the role and function of a Minister?  When did the Minister of Health become a micromanager?

There is a big difference between leadership and management and I am sure that Minister must be aware of this. Additionally, where is the process? From my wide dealings in the public and private sector I know what that process trumps micromanagement every time.

The more you micromanage the less time you have to plan the big vision and the big strategy. So I am absolutely disappointed in the Minister of Health for this kind of silliness.

Photo: Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh.
Photo: Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh.

The second issue is the contempt demonstrated by the Minister of Finance Colm Imbert when he stopped short of daring the public to riot. Despite his apology, too many people are aware of his arrogance and highhandedness so it is his original statement that reflects accurately how he feels.

During the lead up to the national elections, the Prime Minister is on record saying that his contemporaries were busy having retirement parties while he was looking for a job. Well, Dr Rowley, you got the job and you’ve had it for 14 months; it is time for you to lead us in a way that makes us proud.

You are falling terribly short of leading with the charisma we know you have. Instead, the Rottweiler has returned.

I don’t know what or how many promises the government has delivered over the past 14 months. But that’s understandable because no one has communicated what the government intended to do, so we don’t know how to measure progress.

Mr Prime Minister, it is time for you to speak with the people of Trinidad & Tobago. Let us know what your plans are and how we can help. Let’s do this now!

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About Dennise Demming

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.

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46 comments

  1. Promises are a fool comfort.wake up ppl.Govt serve their chosen and grassroots mo longer serve thier purpose after election.Duh

  2. Health care was never better medication was very scarce.I purchase for years not me alone this is what I know for a fact that is so untrue.for a while now iv’e been getting medication.

    • Amelia Browne Do you really mean what I just read, apparently you don’t read or listen to the NEWS that stated that drugs are not available in the nation Hospitals at least three times over the last five months, Well if you have been getting your medication it seems that you have been using Panadol. Whom do you think you are fooling, well I have great news for you it is yourself, Why do you think the People Partnership Government Completed the Scarborough Hospital, The Oncology Center, Started Construction of the Point Fortin Haspital, and Built the COUVA CHILDREN Hospital not to improve the Health Care System, Only Race prevented you from appreciating these Institutions. Ah Born Ah PNM Ah Go Die Ah PNM Mentality. Monkey say cool breeze.

    • Hello there chronic seizure u don’t know what u are saying dozen of persons were being turn away,and I listen to the news regularly,you all are so blind,calling good evil and evil good have a good day.

    • For years no medication all over visit pharmacies all over ridiculous prices for those med hope we continue to get them.

    • They left the drugs to expire and dumped it 63m worth of drugs what could of save lives. Vote PNM vote for reform.

  3. For a while now I haven’t heard about babies and mothers dying at mount hope ,and other institutions,for the past years like every time one listen to the news is either mother or child died how is that?

  4. PEOPLE ARE READY TO FIRE THE MAFIA

  5. Denise Demming I would like to know what are you going to do, sit down and wait and hope that they produce a plan that they know nothing of, They are total FAILURES and you must REALIZE that and face REALITY and VOTE THEM OUT this Local General Elections, Send a clear Message to them, Let’s Do This.

    • They cannot be voted out in a local election. Remember in 2013 our prime minister was drunk singing ooooo ooooo the green man gone an tomorrow Morning I am still your prime minister well it will be same. Our dear p.m. will be the prime minister on 28th November and beyond.

    • Tonia Nableon Did you read the Crap that you are saying in your comment, ooooo ooooo etc. Shame on you, you cannot even express yourself yet you chose to make a comment, How Ridiculous you are to call Rowley a dear PM. Ah Born Ah PNM ah Go Die Ah PNM Mentality. He spent 60 billion dollars and nothing to show for it. Crime is a runaway horse, the health care system is in shambles, Taxes a plenty, food price increases etc and father children and hid them from the Public, went to Les Coteaux to put down wuk yet you call him dear. How Hypocritical you are.

  6. 14 months ago the healthcare system was far better run entity but you voted “To Do This”….They are in charge now deal with it.

  7. The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago A Fail State

    • Julien Mervyn Dedier , My brother if we sit by idle and do nothing, This country will become a Fallen State, so lets start by sending a message to This Wicked and Evil PNM by voting them out in this Local Government Elections.

  8. So you’re saying, that given the state our health care system is in, all Deyalsingh may have demonstrated is his efficiency as; Minister of Stealth? Regrettable!

  9. Venezuela slid into economic and social ‘doldrums’ due to the Government thinking that they can stifle investment. Both Chavez and Maduro squeezed industries and suffocated smaller businesses due to their own interests.

    The PNM – while commendably seeking to cut out waste – has stalled the economy by its actions and words. Note that during the economic depression of 2008/2009, Obama injected money into the economy to encourage spending and investments.

    Unfortunately, the Government is not being held accountable due to the ineffectiveness of the Opposition.

  10. Their is know plan they sitting waiting and hoping the price of oil goes back up while the country is falling into accoma

    • Simon Benjamin That’s exactly what they are waiting on but you and I know that is not going to happen in the near future, the motor companies realizes that hence they are now making Electric Driven Motor Vehicles hoping to capture the Market . About the Country falling into a Coma it’s a shame my brother that we have reached this State, this Country is so divided now than before with tension so high the road ahead is very dangerous. We can take back this Country from the Evil and Wicked PNM and we should start the Ball rolling with the Local Government Elections. Please don’t sit by idle. Let’s Do This.

  11. And here’s some food for thought: If you reshuffle your Cabinet and Darryl Smith goes untouched, does that not speak volumes about the real talents available to you? Indeed, the problem is so acute that the PM publicly wondered about the possibility of bringing the discredited if not graced Marlene McDonald back into the Cabinet. His apologists say that he was bluffing but I don’t buy that; I say he was well aware that he might soon be scraping the bottom of a not-very-deep barrel.

  12. “You are falling terribly short of leading with the charisma we know you have. Instead, the Rottweiler has returned.”

    Ah, gyurl Denise, you take that shake? The Rottweiler has not “returned,”it is the charisma that is the mask which occasionally conceals the resident Rottweiler. The short Trini memory has almost completely erased Patrick Manning’s warning about the true nature of the man who would go on to become PM of the country in 2015. Go check it.

    And remember that the Rottweiler’s words were used as a UNC ad in 2010. Charisma my foot!

  13. The only promises made on the campaign trail that matters are the ones made by Donald Trump.

    Lasana you and all!!! LOL

  14. Procrastination is the thief of time.

  15. I would draw an anology; plenty ppl want a wedding but are not prepared for the hard work of a marriage. In the same way, many were prepared to mamaguy the population for a few months, but were clearly unprepared for the long haul. Blue light syndrome has clearly set in.

  16. The only promise i am concerned with is that we will not end up like Venezuela. If people want the govt to keep spending what we do not have then maybe we deserve to experience a Venezuela type life style.

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