Let’s be positive, though it’s hard

The Editor: Does our Prime Minister really expect us to be positive when the residents of Belmont can be treated in such a disgusting and disrespectful way, said residents being made prone to any number of diseases and their homes being made the breeding grounds for rodents because of the mountains of garbage which reside on almost every street corner in that residential suburb? In fact, the entire city of Port-of-Spain stinks. Does our Prime Minister really expect us to be positive when BWIA is in the throes of an international baggage scandal involving hundreds of disgruntled returning residents and other visitors at a time when goodwill should be the order of the day? For the records, my service experience at the BWIA counter at Piarco today — Christmas Day — was in keeping with the manner in which the baggage problem is (hopefully “was”) being handled.

Does our PM expect us to remain positive when the ferry to Tobago — the  controversial Sonia — docks in Port-of-Spain mere days before the Tobago House of Assembly elections? This suggests that the undulating roadway — Wrightson Road — in front of the Port-of-Spain jetty will be paved just before national elections. Does our Government really think that we are a suitable venue for the capital of the FTAA? Will any of the staff and executives of the FTAA be housed in Belmont or in any of those areas that are flood prone? If any of them becomes ill, will they be treated at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital which borders Belmont?

Fix ME first, at an individual level, was the slogan used to combat crime. Why haven’t our Governments — past and present — been able to “fix US first” at a collective level? Does charity still begin at home or has home become the regional/global village? Finally — for the moment anyway — this one really beats me! Why do we still have a prison located in the heart of Port-of-Spain, on the upper part of Frederick Street, the city’s major roadway? Quite frankly, I do not expect any answers but, isn’t about time that positive, tangible and pro-active action takes the place of ol’ talk from our Governments? In spite of it all, at ground level let’s be positive and do what we have to do to make TT a more liveable country for our children and grandchildren.

JOHN Henry
Petit Valley