All is not lost in TT

TOBAGO HOUSE of Assembly (THA) Chief Secretary Orville London, in his Independence Day speech yesterday, said despite the ills that have recently befallen the country, all is not lost. London was speaking at an Independence Day reception at the Port Authority compound in Scarborough. The event was well attended by members of the island’s Executive Council, including THA Minority Leader Hochoy Charles, Tobago NAR Leader Cecil Caruth, Assemblyman Ashworth Jack and ACP Michael Thomas. London said, Trinidad and Tobago was still among the more politically and economically stable developing countries in the world and managed to maintain more than a semblance of unity and harmony among its diverse sectors and groups.

He said the country was blessed with its fair share of natural resources which should be developed in a manner beneficial to this and future generations. According to London, the greatest responsibility is development of the country’s human resource. “Independence can only exist in an environment in which the social and economic well being of the residents could be enhanced through relevant education,” he said. “However, it is the decision of the individual that will be the most decisive factor and therefore I reiterate my appeal to the young and the not so young to act responsibly and to contribute not only to the saving of their lives but also to the salvaging of an island and their country.” London, who pointed out that true Independence begins within, urged citizens to “be mature enough to make a critical evaluation of our achievements, our frustrations and even our failures over the past four decades as we prepare for a challenging but opportunity filled future.”