The three keys to great governance

Our recovery therefore is directly linked to our investment in these three areas. They are: our comfort with our conceived nature of God, the status of our structure (appropriateness of our laws and regulations), and the quality of our infrastructure.

The first is simple but critical: a society that realises and acknowledges that there is a superior spiritual being tends to value human existence. Consequently, they value life and humanity.

Thus, the environment, communities, cultural practices, respect for human rights, equality and peace are critical underlying foundations for such societies.

TT has been taking a backward step with regards to its acknowledgement of God. While a secular State is good for policy and the separation of powers, the State ought to acknowledge as policy that our Constitution acknowledges the existence of a supreme power and encourage through appropriate legislation religious freedom, growth and development.

The second area is structure.

Structure is the skeleton of State.

The laws, rules and regulations must be citizen friendly, blind to class, race, religion or social status, simple, uncompromising and effective.

For example, a law or regulation can dictate that everyone entering a secured area is searched by an officer at the entrance.

Such a law allows the officer the option to have his acquaintances pass through the check point without being searched.

An effective law is one that minimises the human option to bend the rules. So, if the regulation stated that everyone entering the area must pass through a scanning machine that must show green before one is allowed entry, it eliminates the option for nepotism. That must be the case for our firearm laws, laws governing public office and laws that allow for the management of our communities. The third area is our infrastructure. It is a fact that a clean, healthy environment leads to a calm spirit, personal pride and happiness.

Roads open areas to development, reduces traffic congestion and stress, leads to increased business activity and augments agricultural development.

A modern, clean and healthy working environment directly affects the levels of production, mood and level of belligerence in those accessing the facilities.

As our roads, deteriorate, our buildings fall apart, our garbage piles up and our waterways continue to be overgrown and clogged, our levels of criminality increase.

It is time to address these three areas. There is absolutely no other viable alternative.

Steve Alvarez via email