Surely running a high-maintenance, highly-demanding nation such as Trinidad and Tobago is no easy task. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is on duty, as we say here, 365-24-7. These numbers are no code, but simply that she is responsible for the lives of a population of over a million and a half people each day of the year, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
As her Education Minister Dr Tim Gopeesingh has said, "The Prime Minister's post is extremely stressful."
It is no easy job being the prime minister of any country. The job is physical-demanding, mentally-taxing, and on every day that is not a second Tuesday of the week there is nothing but criticism, complaining and belly-aching.
It is no wonder PM Persad-Bissessar was driven to the ground. It is a worrisome pattern. PM Persad-Bissessar is not the first to fall ill while at the helm. Her predecessors Patrick Manning, Basdeo Panday, and ANR Robinson all underwent major heart surgery. Manning even underwent surgery for kidney cancer. Despite their human frailties, they each continued to serve in office.
PM Persad-Bissessar was very gracious in acknowledging her human side – something the population sometimes forgets during the criticism, the complaining, and the belly-aching. In fact, she was adoringly gracious in apologising for being unwell, mixing it with her typical candour and humour: "We are all human at some point in our lives," she quipped, adding, "I think it's a bit of age. It comes with that. That's part of it, but I feel fine in my brain. My brain is clear."
This was said despite the pain of her swollen feet; and as we later found out, her struggles with hypertension and diabetes. There are many among us who can surely empathise with PM Persad-Bissessar's afflictions. Understandably, we too are human.
It has been a 16 gruelling months with her holding down what we all know has been a challenging and difficult portfolio. Despite this, she has emerged as one of the hardest working leaders that Trinidad and Tobago has ever known. Her work ethic is admirable as is her commitment to bettering the lives with which she has been entrusted. Now add to her daily challenges the recent issues with her health.
With her hard work and her commitment to making Trinidad and Tobago a better and safer place, PM Persad-Bissessar is beginning to convince us abroad with a reawakening of confidence. If she is to continue building this trust at home and abroad, she needs to take a hard look at her tremendous work schedule, the demands of her internal and overseas travel, and even in delegating those stressful tasks.

 

A recent poll in Trinidad and Tobago confirms support from the population for the ongoing state of emergency. According to the findings by the North American Caribbean Teachers Association, public support remains strong at 74 percent from those polled. It goes even further - another 64 percent have indicated they would support its extension through December.
It is certainly noticeable here abroad that crime in Trinidad and Tobago has gone down. No longer are we reading about too many murders and other horrific crimes when we go to the Internet. Our relatives back in the homeland are reporting a growing sense of relief.
We are beginning to be convinced abroad that Trinidad and Tobago could become a safer place.