Ferdie Ferreira is not the only PNMite with concerns about the PNM Government's performance and leadership. Ferreira—the PNM foundation member whose 2012 endorsement of Keith Rowley for Prime Minister ended up in Rowley's autobiography—has, with some deep concern, altered his view.
"I backed him unswervingly in a 2012 Guardian acticle," Ferreira said yesterday.
"Unfortunately both myself and T&T continue to await the standard of leadership we expected when Dr Rowley assumed office."
While he emphasised he was not "disappointed," Ferreira was among several PNMites expressing concerns about Government's two-year stint.
Ferreira, a foundation PNMite of 1956 vintage, added, "Under their inherited circumstances, Government hasn't done badly. It's one thing to have manifesto promises; another to enter office and realise you can't implement them.
"Unfortunately Dr Rowley assumed office as the most experienced politician in T&T—a background in Government, Opposition, the Senate—I'd said that in May 2012 .
"One would have expected him to be in a better position to empathise with the standards of leadership required to deal with the current situation. But I'm still awaiting fulfillment of expectations. Our greatest expectations of him as the most qualified leader haven't been met.
"However, he has three years to meet requirements. I hope he'll apply the appropriate standards to meet the electorate's expectations—I continue to have greatest expectations of him."
Late former leader Patrick Manning's San Fernando East constituency is among PNM's strongest. Constituency chairman Kennedy Fleming believes areas of Government operation require more attention.
"We needed to tell the population what our Vision 2030 really encompassed and how we'd move from A to B. This wasn’t clear.
"Government needs to defend its objectives and convey it so citizens can understand. A piss-poor job has been done on that aspect. Plus, with limited resources, it’s important recommendations we chose are ones that reinvigorate and regenerate revenue.”
Fleming is concerned at over-detachment from the public.
“Yes, we don’t have money. People know that, but we can’t keep repeating it all the time. We need polices that give hope and not false hope. I don’t think we’re giving them hope. We need to do a better job of guiding people in all aspects.
"We also need to examine how we govern and the direction in which our leaders operate. If we don’t have the experience and expertise, please encamp with the people who have necessary skill sets to help guide us. And we must be able to accept criticism, reflect and see if it’s true or not.”
Former PNM youth officer, Dane Wilson, staunch 2010 campaigner, believes Government is doing what is necessary.
"But some mistakes have been made. Recent reviews were not unanticipated as Government approaches mid-term. The administration just needs to be a little more straightforward and communicate better on the economy's true state.
"Still, elected and appointed members also need to pull their weight and not depend on the Prime Minister and Finance Minister to handle everything.”
Wilson is perturbed with Tobago House of Assembly chief secretary Kelvin Charles’ non-appearance during the recent Joint Select Committee's scrutiny of the ferry service.
“It demonstrated lack of commitment, ‘spine,’ if you will. It was disrespectful to Parliament's JSC and PNMites who elected him to stand for Tobago and its issues. The ferry problem is Tobago's biggest. He had a right to be there even if not answering queries. Representation involves broad duty.”
While Wilson said PNM’s leadership was “doing the right things to stabilise T&T, they’re somewhat disconnected from what’s happening on the ‘ground’.
"You see it when you hear what the average person says compared to what Government says. The party also needs to have units functioning and fill the general secretary’s post.”
Ex PNM Minister Conrad Enill maintains the eight he gave on Government's performance, "given all the crap they've had to handle".
"Performance is based on how external global environments impact locally, and if T&T's population had to make the same adjustment as others similarly challenged, we may not have been.
"But we may need to adjust if external environments change T&T's service delivery infrastructure. So yes, Government needs to re-examine delivery mechanism, changing them to respond to new environments.
"We need management in sync with the external environment. Particularly, the Prime Minister needs to decide who's Government CEO. The PM isn't the CEO who handles day-to-day issues. Dr Lenny Saith was CEO of the last PNM Government."