We must do better

Trinidad and Tobago must do better in 2006. If the last year had any silver lining around the dark cloud that was 2005, it is that all the country’s problems were brought to the fore. This is a silver lining because identifying a problem is the first step in solving it. If, however, we do not take correct action now, the society may reach that tipping point where its downward spiral will accelerate beyond stopping. All our problems in various sectors — crime, poverty, health, education, social services — are linked. Deficiencies in one area leads to breakdowns in another. But, by the same token, fixing one area helps reduce problems in another. The Government is now in possession of a large set of Vision 2020 documents.

These are supposed to be a blueprint to carry Trinidad and Tobago to developed-nation status. Exactly how this will come about, however, the public does not know, since the Government has not seen fit to release the report of the core committee or summaries of any of the sub-committees’ plans of action. But the time-frame for this socio-economic miracle, as of today, is 15 years. At the very least, this means that citizens should see definite improvement in the quality of their lives in the next five years. Obviously, though, citizens aren’t willing to hold strain until then — indeed, the society probably does not have the luxury of a five-year wait, let alone a 15-year one, to grapple seriously with its various ills. That is why various sectors have been calling on the Government to take decisive action now, especially in the area of crime. But the mistake many people make is to confuse decisiveness with draconian measures, to the extent where they are essentially asking for a police or totalitarian state. This is a wish which most politicians would be happy to grant, if they thought they could get away with it. But true decisiveness does not entail the reduction of constitutional rights.

It entails taking action which may not be popular, but which is effective. Thus, eradicating the Unemployment Relief Programme could have significant effects on gang warfare. Yet even the hint that this will happen has put some PNM loyalists up in arms, even though the majority of persons being murdered over URP monies come from constituencies which have traditionally supported the PNM. But such myopic and selfish agendas must be ignored, and the URP monies channelled into some other programme to help those persons on the lowest rung of the social ladder. Such a programme could involve training in basic skills, micro-investment in small enterprises such as vending, or apprenticeship in the private sector paid for out of the public purse.

Another unpopular measure which could have significant effects is changing the Minimum Wage law to exempt persons between the ages of 18 and 24. Since minimum wage laws increase unemployment, this is the age group that is most likely to be affected. It is also likely that, within this group, urban-based males have been hardest hit — and the CEPEP programme has not helped these persons. The Government should also postpone its planned building boom until the non-energy sector of the economy begins to show significant expansion. Doing otherwise will further skew wealth distribution and spur inflation.

Instead of concentrating on mega-projects, the Government should start paying more attention to the basics of running a country — like fixing fire hydrants and water mains; repairing secondary roads; ensuring that the boards of various public bodies are functional; fixing the magistrates’ courts; and so on. And the private sector, by the same token, must do its part — not falling silent in its criticisms, for instance, because it might not get government contracts and doing what it can to ensure fair practices between its members and the general public. If the country can get these fundamentals right in 2006, then perhaps by the end of this year, the silver lining will be a bit thicker around our beloved country.