Forget about Vision 20/20 in this lifetime

My reasons for this dismal outlook are many and varied. The most recent reason for this assessment is because of the reports being circulated in the media about the fact that no environmental certificate has been issued by the EMA for the "tsunami shelter" (Tarouba Sports Complex) being built by Udecott. Even without this vital and legally required certificate, the project is moving full steam ahead, with tractors and trucks tearing up the place doing site preparation work.

How can the government, whether local or central, expect the citizens to obey and follow the laws of the land, when they themselves flaunt and break those very same laws, when it is in their interests to do so? What kind whatsoever! Is all of this in the name of progress?

The way I see it is, everyone can do as they very well please; bulldoze the ground. Cut down trees indiscriminately, put up whatever structures they want where they want, cut down the hills, cause (more) flooding by run-off and indiscriminate dumping and the EMA is powerless to do anything to them. The rationale would be, (and rightly so) if the government can do it and get away with it, then, why not me. And I bet you anything that, with a sharp enough attorney, they can probably win that argument in a court of law.

With arrogant leadership and lack of stewardship, we can forget about Vision 20/20 in this or any other lifetime. It ain’t going to happen people; not with the attitudes and actions of the present government. They do what they want at all and any costs, and they feel that people are powerless to stop them. What utter disrespect and arrogance?

So, as the saying goes, "We like it so!" So just go on being a rich Third World country, squandering our resources. Live as you want and everything and everyone else be damned.

KELVIN C JAMES SR

Port-of-Spain