TT needs seismic shift from energy

Case in point: Nigeria experienced a deep recession when oil prices plummeted and it has already experienced, albeit incremental, growth. A country riddled with social issues, the Boko Haram threat and plagued with corruption has still managed some solid progress.

In our country we have been deprived by a Minister of Finance who has not measured up to the task at hand, whose wisdom is to squeeze the citizens as a means of curbing spending and generating income — a regressive, oppressive policy.

Moody’s downgrade of TT indicates eroded fiscal strength.

It is time to diversify, to bite the bullet. Unions have to be on board. The time is right to make “made in TT ” global.

The imperatives of successful diversification require us (with emphasis on us) to boost domestic manufacturing, create greater investments in agriculture, provide infrastructure/ implementation and develop a conscientious work ethic.

All shareholders of this land must be synchronised in common purpose, especially those elected to serve, who must be proactive and produce results, not excuses.

COLIN FORTUNE Arima