First things first, before 2020

THE EDITOR: I would like, through the medium of your paper, to express the following views. Great emphasis is placed by government on Trinidad and Tobago becoming a developed nation by the year 2020. But emphasis has to be placed on certain preliminaries with stringent rules if this is to be a reality. The first has to do with discipline. Now what is discipline? Discipline, among other things, is training that develops self-control, character, orderliness, efficiency, etc. Discipline is one of the areas of development in which this country is sadly lacking. Indiscipline in our homes, schools, on our roads, our environment and even in parliament, to name a few, are gross examples.

The development of a nation is dependent on a disciplined people; and where there is no discipline, then development cannot be a reality in a civilised society. The second is technology. Technology is defined as the science or study of the practical or industrial arts, applied sciences, etc. Now, where do we stand in this respect? There is no doubt that Trinidad and Tobago stands at an average of “C” when compared to the UK, USA, or Canada which is good going as a small nation. The third is industry. Industry is skill in manufacturing productive enterprises. Trinidad and Tobago is well known as a nation rich in asphalt, oil and gas and, to a lesser extent, other industries like plastics, electronics, iron and steel, and petrochemicals. The discovery of natural gas recently has placed Trinidad and Tobago high on the scale of production in this respect. The economy of Trinidad and Tobago is based on oil and gas which are wasting assets. And it could be that by the year 2020, apart from oil and gas being wasting assets, alternative sources of energy could make oil and gas obsolete in global transportation systems. Owing to the discovery of new systems, the diversification of the economy is imperative if we are to cope with the situation and be on the alert for any eventuality. With Trinidad and Tobago on the road to become a developed nation by the year 2020, both government and industry must cooperate in order to make this a reality.

DA COSTA
MC DONALD
Point Fortin