TT’s riches not enjoyed by all!

THE EDITOR: Trinidad and Tobago is blessed with substantial oil resources, with an estimated reserve of 100 years of natural gas production. This fact does not seem to conform to the actual state of the social conditions being experienced in TT as the poor are getting poorer, and the rich are getting richer. Billions of dollars in oil revenue have been filtering into the  Government coffers, but the poor do not seem to inherit any of this windfall.

The CEPEP programme, in my view is the only one which has been working towards relieving some form of poverty, as $214 million have been distributed to over 100 new contractors, thereby preventing the already rich contractors from grabbing the nation’s purse. Usually, a man fights for three things in his life, a roof over his head, a full belly and a woman. In the quest for good governance, assistance should be forthcoming in these areas for the people to achieve these goals. This could be done by insisting, and making it legal, that there should be a ceiling on profit making. All profits above this ceiling should be utilised for the benefit of the poor.

The Government must insist on some basic policies like (a) A chicken on every table (b) Removal of VAT on all basic foods (c) A minimum wage of $10 an hour (d) Subsidise and revolutionise agriculture (e) paternalise education and de-shift all schools (f) encourage starter houses, so as to increase the construction boom and employment (g) glorify the nuclear family, as people are breeding like rabbits only to produce more criminals. It has been estimated that the 58 percent of families are broken. Mr Prime Minister, wealthy people inherit a killer instinct, which if not subdued could cause a devastating social impact in the country way beyond the likes of 1999. The writing is on the wall. Understand this carefully, Westmoorings is a gated community with gates, but Laventille is also a gated community without gates.

Gang warfare is really a message to the Government, which goes unheeded, and when you do not listen you will feel. Since slavery and indentureship people have been divided by all politicians all for the sake of power. The escalating crime situation is based on pent up energy and nowhere to channel it, so give them sporting activities and let them sweat and get tired, then go to sleep. We do not have to consult other countries in order to solve our problems, the answers are all local. Our leaders are too lazy. As a people what are the benefits as citizens of this country. Many people pay WASA bills and receive no water, health surcharge and no health services. Just imagine, to transfer a vehicle over five years old costs $2,010.00. How outrageous! As citizens that should be free.

DOODNATH MAHARAJ
Arima