‘TT’s enemies being defeated’

PRIME MINISTER Patrick Manning declared that the enemies of Trinidad and Tobago are being defeated and the nation had much to be thankful for, despite challenges it faced this year. In his Christmas message to the nation, Manning said: “to be sure, lurking in the shadows are certain enemies of Trinidad and Tobago which we are fighting and now defeating.” “There is no gainsaying that crime, kidnapping, floods and traffic gridlock continue to trouble us. These notwithstanding, much more is happening for us on the bright side. Through careful husbanding of our resources and capabilities we are seeing the unfolding today of that great and manifest destiny that was ever before us,” he added.

Manning said in 2004, Tobago was declared among some of the world’s leading tourist destinations and the local economy peaked “with an unprecedented level of growth in the order of 13.2 percent, causing TT to attract significant attention as a model, developing nation.” And as one of the largest recipients of foreign direct investment in the western hemisphere today, “the world is looking on with admiration and in support of us becoming a developed country on or before the year 2020.” He said diversification of TT’s energy portfolio continues at a significant rate, and “just last week, we were able to announce to the national community and the world of the largest natural gas find in the history of TT.” Manning reiterated that Barbados had no claim to these new gas reserves.  He said TT is beginning to see a turn around in its non-oil sector and Government had made significant achievements in health, education and housing in 2004.

He boasted that TT was one of few nations in the world to introduce a programme of universal preschool education and “this will enable every one of our children of kindergarten school to begin formal education on the proper foundation, as we seek to develop a knowledge-based, knowledge-driven society.” Manning said TT has introduced many programmes “enabling us to reduce poverty and take far better care of our elderly, our underprivileged and differently-abled and our especially gifted or talented.” However the Prime Minister said the bright future which lies ahead would not be achieved if “it did not result along the way in tangible benefits for the people of our nation. The Government is leaving no stone unturned in this regard. At every stage, we are putting people first. In the coming year, we shall accelerate the pace of development in other areas of national life,” he declared.

Manning urged citizens to spare a thought for the less fortunate in the society during the Christmas season, ensure there was no carnage on TT’s roads and remember what the true meaning of Christmas was all about. He said outside of Christmas festivities, citizens must pay more attention to “the sacred and social responsibilities with which we are certainly entrusted.” “Christmas is designed to bring us together as a society and nation. For all of us, we must take steps to address the lack of caring which exists at so many levels in our society. We must embrace the opportunity to recapture those values that at one time were the hallmark of everyday life in TT. We must make these the common rule, rather than the exception,” Manning declared.