RESETT 1962 elects first board...David Subran is chairman

RESE TT 1962, a non-political organisation was launched in June 2015.

At its first AGM held on November 26, other board members elected were Shawn Mahase, secretary; Ian Prevatt, treasurer; and Susan Gordon and Reginald Dumas as directors.

The wider membership consists of non-politically aligned persons from a variety of experiences, training and backgrounds with an interest and passion in nation building and good governance, Subran said.

In keeping with their mission and objectives, Subran in a release said that at the AGM, the membership discussed the proposed highways from Valencia to Toco, Cumuto to Manzanilla and the Toco to Tobago ferry projects.

While the projects have the ability to make significant impact on the development of north east Trinidad, he said, they also have the potential for exorbitant public expenditure and numerous adverse effects on those communities.

He said, RESE TT 1962 believes that more information should be forthcoming from Government about the projects especially with respect to their viability and feasibility, the findings of existing reports and any new reports and research on the idea for a Toco to Tobago port, and the environmental impact of cutting new roads from Valencia to Toco and Cumuto to Manzanilla instead of improving the existing road networks.

G o v e r n m e n t should also share information on the proposed plans for ascertaining the views of the people living in the affected areas and in Tobago, and consultations with other stakeholders and interest groups, he said.

RESE TT 1962, Subran said, “remains committed to improving the way projects such as these are initiated and implemented.” As such, he said, “we are prepared to give any advice required on how the principles of participatory governance can be used to effectively impact on decision making and strengthen our democracy.” RESE TT 1962 was established as a non-political organisation to among other objectives, advocate for the principles of participatory governance to be rooted in the development of political, social and economic institutions, and to take action to ensure that governments respect the principles of good governance in their policy-making and implementation.