The State of Emergency in Trinidad and Tobago has been extended for three months.
The motion was passed in the House of Representatives on Monday night, after all Members of Parliament voted in favour of the extension.
Speaking during the debate, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar reminded that the decision to implement an SOE was taken after extensive consideration.
She reassured that the SOE is not the government’s crime-fighting plan but rather a means of dealing with impending threats from the prisons against the State.
“So we called the State of Emergency, as I said, not to treat with crime per se. It was prompted by the threat posed to the State by actors in prisons, and they were threatening our national security in this country.”
Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar said this decision made by the government proves their commitment to holding their end of the bargain.
“This targeted State of Emergency, proclaimed July 18th, it is not bluster. It is not theatre. It’s the fulfilment of the promise we made when, three months ago, the people of T&T returned us to office with an overwhelming mandate to make our nation safer by action and not just by empty noise. We intend to keep that promise. This is but one piece of the plan.”
As he contributed to the debate, Member of the Opposition and Member of Parliament for Arouca/Lopinot, Marvin Gonzales, commended the country’s protective services for the work they are doing at this time.
“I want to place on record and in this Parliament the PNM’s commendation and respect for all law enforcement officials in Trinidad and Tobago who work tirelessly, 24/7 around the clock, to ensure our security as a nation.”
Five members contributed to the debate before the conclusion by Attorney General John Jeremie.