The Government must admit that it needs international help in fighting the crime scourge in Trinidad and Tobago quickly because it is directly affecting the economy.
This is according to Economist Indira Sagewan Ali who spoke with Denise Demming on the Power Breakfast Show this morning.
She said over the last nine years the Government has allocated 14% of the national budget to the Ministry of National security.
She said based on the spiralling crime rate, throwing money behind the problem isn’t the answer.
She revealed her thoughts on the issue saying that it’s time the Government admits that it needs international help insisting the crime situation must be cleaned up quickly.
Sagewan Ali said that every sector of society is being affected by crime, from farmers who deal with praedial larceny to the extortion of businessmen who are being forced to pay protection tax.
The Economist maintained that the high crime rate is also affecting the cost of doing business, explaining that both private citizens and business owners must now spend additional sums to ensure that they safety.
She commented on the National Security Ministry’s use of funds allocated to it.
She questioned how the funds were being used to bolster the TTPS especially with respect to police vehicles.