‘Use your time to develop yourself’

Asked about the protest staged on Tuesday, after he spoke at the Fifth National Climate Outlook forum at the TT chamber of Industry and Commerce in Westmoorings yesterday, Hinds said, “I want to say today to the young people in Morvant/Laventille, there are so many opportunities for young people in Trinidad and Tobago and in the world.

“If you will only assume a life of discipline whether it is in the media, in the police service, whether it is in any profession of your choice with the support of the State. There are free primary, secondary and tertiary education, technology skills training in the vocational training, all these institutions are making it all available.” He said there is no citizen who does not have at his or her finger tips access to training, self growth and self improvement. Hinds indicated that there are opportunities available to the young people even if they did not do well, and finished their schooling at the primary and secondary school level.

He said young people should use their time wisely and seriously consider how they can make something of their life. “Even if it is as a tailor, a barber, as small business owner, whatever you do.

I heard them calling for jobs in their area and you see those words in their area, it troubled me because the jobs are not only available there, the jobs are available across TT.” Hinds said if young people of Laventille/Morvant including those who protested on Tuesday, would spend 40 or 50 percent of that time in self development, supporting and encouraging and making safe each rather than being a threat, “TT will be better off.” Speaking to Morvant and Laventille residents, the Laventille West MP said, “You are free to protest, but really where are we going? Where are you going? What do you plan to do tomorrow? How do you intend to earn your keep? What skills do you have? You want jobs? If someone came into the community and said they want six doctors today, could you put up your hand and say you can apply? Can you say you have the skill? That is the question.” Hinds said he was very concerned because for the past 20 years as a MP, he has spent time in these same communities encouraging young people, but a minority chooses to hang around, become dangerous and be used by others to do wrong.