TT 54 years ago: A much different place

The nation was about to build on the foundation left by the colonial masters, one constructed with the blood, sweat and tears of a people.

We took down the Union Jack on the grounds of an immaculate Red House, brightly painted with large majestic wooden doors and a fountain in an atrium that was constructed with national pride.

I remember a past government employee describing to me how overwhelmed she was at the sheer beauty of the offices and common space that comprised the Red House.

We inherited a number of other beautiful things at that time. Our public transportation service included a well managed bus service that ran on time, servicing remote towns like Toco, Marac, Cedros and Las Cuevas.

Additionally, we inherited a rail system that connected the capital city to villages as far as Siparia, Sangre Grande and Rio Claro.

Our hospitals were clean and imaculate, our bonatical gardens were picturesque and complemented the grounds of a magestic Governor General’s House, later to be President’s House.

The Prime Minister’s office, Whitehall, was a place of beauty.

Every town and village was adequately patrolled by police and justice was swift with magistrates courts in most communities.

One can go on an on to describe the oilfields and their satellite towns like Point Fortin and Pointea- Pierre and the infratructure that was world class.

Fifty-four years after, most of the infrastructure that we inherited is destroyed or in a state of decay.

Our society is plagued with crime, mismanagement and corruption.

Our people are divided by race, political affiliation, religion and class.

In this colossal mess we parade military equipment including helicopters that cannot trace one car in a getaway after a driveby shooting. We will claim national pride and celebrate another year of independence.

We are still a very young nation that can boast of some level of harmony.

There is still time to come together as one people and rebuild our nation. This can only be done together.

Every child of TT , regardless of ancestry, political affilation or class, must make a concerted effort to rebuild our land.

That is my independence prayer. I look forward to a better tomorrow together.

STEVE ALVAREZ via email