Paying dearly for crab and dumpling

As the Minister of Agriculture remains quiet, concrete, glass and steel structures are constructed while the agriculture sector wilts from lack of direction, policy and planning. Like Tobago, Trinidad is losing its grip and ability for the realisation of sustainable agricultural production. The result is higher food prices, causing the commodity to be out of the reach of the masses.

At present, Tobagonians are paying dearly for crab and dumpling. The island’s goat meat and pigeon peas production for consumption has now dwindled to goat racing. Our marine resources in TT as related to food production are left untapped, as our revenues from oil exceed budgeted figures.

The Industry is behind time, where packaging and storing facilities are concerned. Nevertheless marine produce is imported into Trinidad from countries where the technology is instituted, and the commodity is sold in Trinidad at prices prohibitive to the average consumer. Over the past 50 years in TT, no political party experienced an euphoria when it won a general elections as the NAR did in 1986.

The party was one of national representation and its birth did not afford partisan politics. The elusive desire of a national party was realised by virtue of its thinkers, planners, individuals with foresight, a comparative degree of honesty, integrity and its multi-ethnic composition. The party was able to guide the country from financial bankruptcy through implementation of stringent tax measures and prudent financial expenditure. One of the ministers responsible for planning and development in that government was Winston Dookeran. As a patriot and a nationalist, he stands committed to the people of TT.

JUSTIN LLOYD

Maraval