(Trinidad Guardian) Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar says Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley must provide evidence to support his claim that Government was bullying contractors into financing her nation-wide Christmas toy drive for over 50,000 children. Speaking to reporters as she embarked on her second toy-distribution motorcade through her Siparia constituency yesterday, Persad-Bissessar denied the allegation.
“That is totally not true. If he (Rowley) has any evidence of this, then bring it and I will deal with it,” she said. She added that Christmas was a wonderful time for giving and caring. Wearing her Santa Claus cap and a red blouse, Persad-Bissessar said Rowley was behaving like “Scrooge”. “Last year we gave out toys and hampers. He (Rowley) is like Scrooge. People are very happy (to receive the gifts),” she said.
She added that the toys were sponsored by corporate sponsors. “It is not the first time we are doing this. We have done it for 17 years, but now we are doing it on a national scale,” Persad-Bissessar added. Asked what was her Christmas wish, Persad-Bissessar said: “My Christmas wish is to get rest and spend time with my family. I also want joy and peace for T&T and a better 2012 for everyone.” She said she returned from the distribution drive at 10 pm on Wednesday and was experiencing slight discomfort on her right hand.
Persad-Bissessar also said she was happy that former prime minister Patrick Manning accepted hampers for his constituents. She said she did not know whether Manning accepted toys. Persad-Bissessar also said she did not believe there would be any fallout in diplomatic relations with the United States over the extradition matter of Steve Ferguson and Ishwar Galbaransingh. “When the United States Attorney General was here a while ago, we spoke with him and he understood the situation,” Persad-Bissessar said.
She added that all matters related to the extradition matter would be handled by the AG. On Monday, Attorney General Anand Ramlogan decided not to appeal the decision of a High Court judge to quash the extradition of Galbaransingh and Ferguson. He made the announcement in a press release minutes after the deadline for the State’s appeal had lapsed.
