TT, this is not the time to be harden

Could we be like in the time of Pharaoh where redemption was only possible after deep personal pain? TT has two major problems: increasing levels of criminal activity and a failing economy.

The solutions to both are known to many but continue to be ignored. Could it be that our leaders’ hearts are hardened and their sight blinded so that redemption can eventually be achieved? How can one explain the lack of effort to have structured police patrols in every community? Why is there no effort to reintroduce the marine police in areas like Moruga, Cedros, the Caroni River mouth and other coastal towns where there are illegal activities along the coast? Why are our courts clogged with hundreds of cases over ten years old with little hope of every arriving at justice? Why are citizens prevented from obtaining non-lethal devices to protect them from criminals? Why are citizens with legitimate expectations not afforded the opportunity to obtain a firearm-user’s licence while illegal guns proliferate our communities? Why is there no gun court and a gun amnesty? Why is it so difficult to put in place structures to properly identify vehicles and trace their ownership in real time? Hardened hearts, perhaps? Volvo recently announced a major shift to electric cars.

Countries worldwide are reporting better than expected results from accessing solar energy.

New technology like LED lighting and modern electric motors have drastically reduced the use for traditional sources of energy.

Consequently, the days of high oil and gas prices are over.

One may even wish to predict that the demand for fossil fuels will cease to be economically viable in the coming years and there will be a global economic shock from economic restructuring much earlier than most economists predict.

TT stands to suffer most from these developments as the energy sector is the backbone of our economy.

Why are we not seeking alternative sources of real income? Why are we continuing to depend on a single sector of our economy for income and not a multiple-sector approach? Why is agriculture ignored to such an extent that thousands of acres of good agricultural lands are left abandoned? Why is tourism not a major source of investment? Why is there no major investment in the steel pan industry, Carnival and music? Why is sport not seen as an avenue for gaining new sources of income? Why is Chacachacare not leased or seen as an avenue for investment? With its great beaches, jetty and roadway already in place it is a diamond in the rough.

There is no time to waste. TT is already way behind where the nation ought to be in terms of development. Now is not a time to be “harden.” Not a time to be political or a time to continue the ethnic division that blinds us from seeing our true potential.

STEVE ALVAREZ via email