Milestones needed to First World status

THE EDITOR: A generic 20/20 vision as espoused by Government without any incremental clearly defined milestones to evaluate whether targets are met or the course is tenaciously adhered to, demonstrates a higgledly piggledy approach to Trinidad and Tobago’s development. To talk “first world status” by a certain time in the future suggests a well thought out plan similar to that achieved by Pacific Rim countries fuelled by what has become known as the “tangential effect.”

Simply put, the yard stick used by current economically strong Asian countries relied heavily on emulating the development path of Japan and Hong Kong, with a high degree of adaptation/adjustment to accommodate cultural and other “belief-base” differences. After what is the Trinbago model fashioned? Who are the ones charged with shaping the populist conscience that will drive this model? What are the assessable stages targetted to reach the objective of first world status? None of these questions can be unambiguously answered; not even by the team selected to manage the process towards first world status by 2020. If the political process cannot accommodate this ambition; if the people/citizenry are not being properly prepared; if the major stakeholders view this as a PNM dictum and not a national thrust, then we might as well shelve the idea and admit that we are not ready. Already we cannot compare with the internationally recognised higher quality and standard of living of several of our Caribbean neighbours — Barbados, the Virgin Islands, the Bahamas, Martinique and Guadeloupe, and even little Curacao.

What are the signs that will tell a global community that Trinidad and Tobago is on course to first world stardom? I submit, the signs are nestled in Constitutional reform that promotes a democracy in which all the major ethnic, cultural and acceptable ideological strains which make up our cosmopolitan identity feel comfortable and are shareholders. When the hills of Laventille and planes of Caroni recognise the diversity that unties rather than divide them. When there is universal acceptance that all Governments in the future will work in the interest of nation building and not in self-conceits designed only to acquire and maintain power and dominance. When the interest of the masses is reflected in policies that benefit the “hard worker” rather than opportunistic patronage that hitherto promotes mediocrity. When the period of “non-vulnerability” to the whim and fancy of the Optimum Leaders in mass political organisations give way to a style that recognises genuine leadership qualities and not pseudo-leaders whose
gentle disposition while in opposition is metamorphasised into disguised despots who determine “who should or should not eat.”

In short, not until we are mature enough to devise a system that will insulate the poor and dispossessed from the high and mighty within and without established institutions can we see a better Trinidad and Tobago and the realisation of Vision 2020. Not until the efforts of humble people such as the Council of elders of Laventille and those, be they academics or inspired individuals attached to the humanities, are fully exploited in pursuant of a fair and just society will talk of vision move beyond the domain of just talk. Only when the population sees unadulterated demonstrable sincerity of purpose by the Government which views this vision outside the realm of political gimmickry, high sounding, far fetched and coined only to solicit votes, then will Trinidad and Tobago realise its potential to become a “first world” nation.

To use a frivolous set of criteria to make the former failed Minister of National Security (Chin Lee) a Minster at the expense of a humble bright and suited Fitzgerald gives credence to the thought that Government is not a believer in its own Vision 2020. Similarly, not to heed the prognostications of the Council of Elders of Laventille for the necessity of support for community-based interventions to pre-empt the emerging more dangerous and heinous phase of physical crimes (as exemplified by the Aleong murder), targetted at those perceived to be the cause of abject poverty in the country, the society will pay a very high price for Government’s recalcitrance.

The Laventille Elders have been assiduously at work in reducing gang and criminal acts, and have articulated the prescription for “maintenance of the peace,” without which Vision 2020 will continue to be a “pipe dream” that has “flattering” value only. Giving $3M Government support to Crime Stoppers or substantial sums for crime research, or contemplating more expensive special crime units, unenforceable legislation and continued misappropriation of funds to social projects and institutions administered by the elites in the society cannot surpass/supplant the day-to-day interventions by good people within the affected communities. CLICO (and other business entities) and Government must seek out and focus resources on those best suited to do the job from within affected communities. The Council of Elders of Laventille must be uppermost in this consideration.

ALFRED GEORGE
Laventille