Be less “arrogant.” That’s the word from Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to her Cabinet ministers, as she moves to cut down the trappings that keep them distanced from the public. The Sunday Guardian yesterday detailed a confidential Cabinet meeting last Wednesday at which Persad-Bissessar clamped down on Ministerial use of blue flashing lights, shortcuts through South Quay bus terminus, private use of the State helicopter and heavy dark tint their vehicles.
Responding to questions from the media at her annual Toy Drive at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Arima yesterday, Persad-Bissessar said the decision was triggered by conversations with the public. She said in those talks with citizens, she found that people perceived them as arrogant.
“Sometimes, some say our ministers have been away from them, some use the word “arrogant” and say they’ve been shut down. I shared this with the ministers and I indicated to them we need to get back close to the people. That’s why people put us here,” she said. “I do not have tint on my own vehicle, believe it or not,” Persad-Bissessar said.
While not speaking directly to the issue of the blue flashing lights, Persad-Bissessar said her ministers must feel what the citizens feel on a daily basis, especially the daily traffic congestion. Blue flashing lights can be used by to bypass traffic that most citizens are forced to face.
“There are a lot of issues there. They agreed that we would deal with these issues, because traffic is an issue we have been trying to deal with. Ordinary citizens every day face that traffic congestion and they want to feel that their MPs and ministers are also part of that feeling,” Persad-Bissessar said.
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Response to poll
Persad-Bissessar said she found a recent poll “very encouraging” but conceded that it does not give the whole picture. Results from the poll, recently published in the local media, place the PM’s People’s Partnership in a tight race with the opposition People’s National Movement (PNM). She said the polls also show that the people want “better governance and leadership.”