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Congratulations to Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley on his departure from Whitehall and return to Mason Hall. His administration leaves behind a new airport terminal in Tobago, perhaps its final claim to success.
As he transitions to retirement with a TT$87,847 monthly pension, the citizens who entrusted him with leadership are left with a mere TT$3,000—a stark contrast highlighting the divide between government elites and the struggling population.
Photo: PNM.
For nearly a decade, Trinidad and Tobago’s economy stagnated under continuous budget deficits and rising foreign debt. The Central Bank’s 2024 economic review noted that: “despite efforts to stabilize the economy, revenue shortfalls and increased borrowing continue to pose fiscal risks.”
The failure to diversify beyond oil and gas has left the country vulnerable, limiting sustainable growth and opportunity (Guardian, 5 January 2024). The government’s neglect of agriculture also increased reliance on food imports.
Meanwhile, for most citizens—excluding politicians—wage freezes since 2014, rising unemployment, and worsening poverty have made survival harder.
Since 2015, the country has seen record-breaking murder rates. Newsday (28 December 2023) reported 605 murders for the year, the highest in history.
Businesses, once hopeful for economic revival, now struggle under unchecked crime. Government inaction has fueled frustration, leaving citizens trapped in fear.
Despite the establishment of the Ministry of Digital Transformation (MDT) in 2021, public service inefficiency worsened. Bureaucratic delays frustrate businesses, investors, and citizens alike.
A Guardian analysis (14 February 2024) noted that: “public sector reform remains stalled, and digitization efforts have led to even slower processing times.”
Political interference, demotivated civil servants, and an over-reliance on contract workers deepened dysfunction. Rather than meaningful reforms, the government blamed “decision-making processes” while failing to take responsibility.
As our seventh prime minister exits politics, his attempts to rewrite history are evident. His administration routinely shifted blame—on civil servants, the global economy, even citizens—while refusing accountability.
His criticism of foreign exchange spending on Carnival costumes as “absolute foolishness” (Newsday, 10 February 2024) contradicted his government’s promotion of Carnival as an economic driver. These inconsistencies define his leadership: grand rhetoric, little delivery.
Not just citizens but even conservative groups like Amcham T&T criticized the administration. The organization condemned its handling of the foreign exchange crisis, stating that “businesses continue to suffer due to inconsistent and opaque forex allocation policies” (Guardian, 1 March 2024). The disconnect between government messaging and daily struggles is undeniable.
Rowley’s journey from Mason Hall to Whitehall and back was paved with promises: economic diversification, safer communities, improved governance. Most remain unfulfilled.
His performance was summarized in a question in the Trinidad Express (23 February 2025) from Educator, Author and Advocate for Equity, Scarlet Benois-Selman:
“Will we continue to live in denial, allowing outdated practices and political cronyism to dictate our future, or will we finally take hold of the powers we’ve been neglecting all along?”
Your legacy, Sir, is one of economic hardship, rising crime, inefficiency, and deepening public mistrust in Parliament. Let’s hope that your successor takes heed.
Editor’s Note: Click HERE to read to a rebuttal to Dennise Demming’s op-ed on the legacy of outgoing Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley by ex-Point Fortin mayor Abdon Mason.
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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.
Though everyone is entitled to their opinions, I find it deeply concerning when a journalist chooses to mislead the public from the very first paragraph of an article. The informed among us know that the pension figure quoted is grossly inaccurate. The $3,000 pension is, in fact, more of a ‘grant’ provided to seniors who have never worked, never paid taxes, yet have benefited from free education, free healthcare and numerous other state provisions funded by the contributions of the working class. This amount does not reflect the reality of those who have spent their lives in the workforce.
I won’t even begin to dissect the rest of the article – but suffice it to say, there is much to be desired in terms of accuracy and responsible journalism. Please, do better.
Ms. Demming, I acknowledge your acrimony for Dr. Rowley however you stated that he’s retiring with a monthly pension of $87,847. This statement is false and you know it. It is reTher closer to $43,923.50. It is the responsibility of journalists to disseminate credible information
Your comments on Dr. Rowley are mere repetition of what you see as popular , not practical or honest.
Remember in 2015 we had money for 3 days according to Jwala but we rallied and brought down Budget to much less than 2010.
We had a pandemic and only in TT we should have opened up everything- bars, borders, cruise ships, beaches, rumshops, malls, sports, schools, economy . Had we done that we would have opened more graves!!!!!
You all know that but just plain dishonest in these posts.