EXPECTATIONS are high that last month’s Local Government Election will inject new blood into an institution which is yet to achieve its full potential in serving the population of Trinidad and Tobago. This is the common view shared by persons on either side of the political divide, veterans and newcomers alike.
The July 14 polls saw the ruling People’s National Movement (PNM) score an overwhelming victory over the Opposition United National Congress and make several inroads into what was once regarded as UNC heartland territory. The PNM won 83 seats to the UNC’s 43, won at least one seat in every local government body, snatched the Sangre Grande and Siparia Regional Corporations from the UNC and drew 3-3 with the Opposition in the Rio Claro/Mayaro Regional Corporation. While the drawing of lots saw the UNC retain control of that corporation and leave the balance of power at nine-five in favour of the PNM, there was little the Opposition could be proud about as it arguably suffered the worst political defeat in its 14 year existence.
However with the dust now settling on the political battlefield, the arduous task of making local government work now begins, and the initial signs are that both the PNM and UNC want to achieve this elusive goal. Newly-elected San Fernando Mayor Ian Atherly told Sunday Newsday that there was way too much bureaucracy in local and central government and making the system more proactive and people-oriented will be one of his top priorities. “People must accept change. Transformation must take place,” he declared. Atherly described San Fernando as “a high performance four cylinder engine,” with Prime Minister Patrick Manning and Junior Trade Minister Diane Seukeran (as MPs of San Fernando East and San Fernando West respectively) being two important parts of that engine at Central Government level. Atherly was optimistic that together with San Fernando City Corporation CEO Marlene Coudray, they would form the other half of that engine at the local government level. “I don’t think we have a stronger team anywhere else,” the mayor added. Meanwhile, Deputy Mayor of Chaguanas Orlando Nagessar believes the new crop of local government leaders will continue the work started by their predecessors. While he was very vocal during the recent election campaign about the Government’s policies and alleged PNM actions on July 14, Nagessar said it was time to put those things in the past and get down to the business of delivering goods and services. He stated that all councillors, regardless of political affliation, must “work as a team for the good of all.”
In their inaugural addresses, former ambassador Suruj Rambachan (who replaced Nagessar as mayor) and new Princes Town Regional Corporation chairman Khemchand Ramdath appear ready to act on Nagessar’s advice. Outgoing chairman of the TT Local Government Association (TTALGA) and former Point Fortin Mayor Francis Bertrand stressed upon the need for proper training of local government representatives for their upcoming duties. Bertrand told Sunday Newsday this was the essence behind a local government seminar to be held at the UWI’s St Augustine campus on August 5 and 6, which will be formally opened by the Prime Minister. Bertrand recalled that when he first became mayor, he learnt how to do his job the hard way because no training was given to him at the time. Bertrand shared Atherly’s and Nagessar’s views about the need to keep politics out of the daily operations of local government bodies and said this was something he tried to promote in local government in his capacity of TTALGA chairman. He said he was heartened at Manning’s statements on local government reform, especially giving mayors and chairmen a voice in the Senate but not a vote. Bertrand added that the issue of terms and conditions for local government representatives has been a longstanding problem and he was optimistic that next week’s seminar will assist in addressing it. Bertrand, who is due to demit office in September, expressed his optimism of a bright future ahead for local government. Following the swearing in of the new Port-of-Spain City Corporation two weeks ago, Local Government Minister Jarrette Narine predicted that none of the squabbling for funds which occurred under the former UNC regime would rear its ugly head this time around. Narine also revealed that a draft local government policy was being prepared and will be debated in Parliament in September. However time alone will tell whether local government will finally become the bride or forever play bridesmaid to Central Government.
THE PRESIDENT of the Industrial Court Justice Addison Khan has made it clear that the policy of the Court is to encourage employers to remain in business and continue to employ people.
In other words, he said, the Court will not make an order against an employer if the effect of that order is to put that employer out of business. “Employers employ workers and without employers, there can be no workers,” he stressed. Justice Khan was speaking to members of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce at a recent breakfast meeting. His address was titled: “Understanding the Procedures of and the Presentation of cases at the Industrial Court.” Giving another example of how the Court works, Justice Khan said its jurisdiction is for the settlement of trade disputes, “but the principles and practices of industrial relations difffer in many respects from the principles of the common law.”
On the question of a wage dispsute, Justice Khan noted that an employer may be in a profitable position and able to pay his workers substantial wages. But he was adamant: “The Court must not however regard an employer’s ability to pay as a licence to order the payment of exhorbitant wages which are out of proportion to the wages paid by other employers in the particular sector concerned.” According to Justice Khan, if this is done, it would create chaos in industrial relations.
Another point made by Justice Khan was that the Court is not bound by legal technicalities or legal form or the rules of evidence. “Representatives of parties waste a lot of time in Court on arguments about the admissibility of evidence. The duty of the Court is to get all the facts and make a fair and just decision,” said Justice Khan. Referring to the Industrial Stabilisation Act itself, Justice Khan posed the question: “Do you prefer industrial disputes to be determined in a civilised, orderly manner by judicial processs, or do you want to revert to the days of indiscriminate strike action?” He had the answer: “I admit that the present system is not a perfect one. The judges who hear the cases are human beings who are not infallible. “Delays in the system are well known, but it would be a grave mista1ke to abandon the present system of adjudication by judicial process to revert to what has been described as the ‘law of the jungle’,” he said.
WHEN IT governed the country, the United National Congress played a leading role in laying the foundation for setting up the Caribbean Court of Justice. Now that the party has returned to the Opposition benches, it has made an inexplicable about face on the CCJ, declaring that it would not support legislation to bring the Court into being. We consider this turnaround an act of gross absurdity on the part of the UNC, a particularly tragic example of the purely obstructionist force that the opposition party has become. It is time, we believe, for the country to tell Mr Panday and the UNC that enough is enough; the purpose of an opposition in our parliamentary system is not to retard the progress of the country, not to resist measures for improving the administration of the people’s business or proposals aimed at solving urgent national problems. Rather, the Opposition is there to monitor the operations of the government, to ensure that it remains on the straight and narrow and to present itself as a credible alternative to the party in power. Since it lost the last elections in October 2002, however, the UNC has fallen into such disarray that it has lost sight of these responsibilities and, instead, has taken to expressing its anguish like a wounded animal, growling negatively at everything, even to the detriment of the country.
Who do Mr Panday and the UNC think they are hurting when they seek to prevent the establishment of the Caribbean Court of Justice or refuse to cooperate on other serious measures such as the Anti-Kidnapping Bills and the Police Management Bills? The Government? No. They are hurting the country. And that is the tragedy of the negative policy they have adopted. The CCJ, which replaces the British Privy Council as the final Court of Appeal for TT and other Commonwealth Caribbean states, is necessary to complete the sovereignty of our region, creating an institution that would be manned by our own jurists and produce our own jurisprudence and legal traditions. How urgent is this evolution may be seen in the recent judgments of the Law Lords who are resorting to all kinds of ridiculous stratagems to impose their abolitionist beliefs and policies upon us. But all of this was fully understood, indeed firmly propounded, by the UNC when it held office. Indeed, the UNC government was actively taking steps to stop murder appeals from going before the Privy Council. It is actually bizarre that the party can now adopt an entirely opposite stand on this vital matter.
The fact is, it would be a severe embarrassment for our country and a serious setback to efforts at setting up the court if, because of UNC opposition, the enabling legislation fails to obtain the approval of parliament. Our Caricom partners, knowing the enthusiasm we had for the court, will now look askance at our politics and our commitment to the goal of regional integration. In light of all of this, we must appeal to UNC parliamentarians to seriously reconsider the policy of non-cooperation their party has adopted and the damaging effect it is having on the country’s affairs. It is a hopeful sign that Mr Gerald Yetming has the personal courage and concern for the party and the country to speak out frankly on the problem of UNC leadership and its legislative policy. How far the party is prepared to go in senselessly retarding the progress of TT will be seen in the CCJ legislation. We can only hope that Prime Minister Manning will be successful in his personal quest to obtain the necessary UNC votes to have the legislation enacted. We have said before that the country needs a good Opposition; the proper functioning of our democracy demands it. So it is time for concerned citizens to tell the UNC that we have had enough of this nonsense.
“I would like to be an advocate for spirituality as a fundamental solution to crime and violence” — Professor Ramesh Deosaran
We have for ages heard it from the clergy. Now we hear it in unequivocal terms from the secular professor. Prominent criminologist, Professor Ramesh Deosaran, has made it absolutely clear: “Without the principle and awareness of spirituality and people attaching themselves to an awareness of the Almighty, there will always be crime and violence.” Deosaran was delivering the feature address at the awards ceremony hosted by the Haji Ruknudeen Institute of Islamic Studies, which was held on July 21, at the Gulf City Auditorium in La Romaine. In expanding on his position, the Director of Criminology and Criminal Justice announced, “I would like to be an advocate for spirituality as a fundamental solution to crime and violence.” It was a distinct display of maturity and honesty by the professor. So many times we have professionals of the intellectual calibre of Deosaran, who avoid openly admitting the extremely vital role of moral and spiritual values in crime and other social ills. For some strange reason they seem to espouse the view that such a perspective will diminish their esteem and weaken their position. They seem to prefer the route of “sounding intellectual,” and attempting to impress their audience, at the expense of reality, honesty and truth.
In the long run it is to the virtual or actual peril of these “experts,” since their “impressive” fa?ade may attract the applause of an audience, but it certainly fails to impress the facts of reality. The eventual failure becomes starkly visible and credibility is inevitably compromised. It is not that a scientific approach to problem-solving, in social matters or otherwise, is a bad thing. Certainly not. But the ridiculous lop-sidedness in the face of horrific reality that’s frighteningly worsening faster than the speed of light, is what’s hard to stomach. People who care beyond the point of merely protecting and preserving a selfish bias, simply do like Dr Deosaran, who has frankly described spirituality as “a fundamental” means of solving the crime problem. In his delivery, Deosaran continued, “No matter how many jails we build and how much longer the court sentences, there is a need for personal choice and self-responsibility.” Even in acknowledging that there is a legitimate and necessary place for the courts, protective services and the penal system, Deosaran observed that, “those things will not necessarily help in preventing the spread of crime.”
The professor, who indicated to the audience that he was at present conducting research with the aim of incorporating spirituality into crime prevention programmes, challenged the religious heads at the function to press on with their spiritual initiatives. All around us the evidence continues to be prominent. Those who are truly committed to a sound moral and spiritual course have no difficulty in living a crime-free life. This is primarily what makes the difference between the law-abiding decent citizen and the criminal. This is also what makes the difference in the life of an ex-con who decides to turn a new leaf. Most times the real change comes when such a person “turns his/her life to God.” Excellent examples are found in Pentecostal or “Born Again” churches. We have quite a number of transformed criminals. As Dr Deosaran implied in his address, it is time for everyone, everywhere to place greater emphasis upon the matter of enhancing our value system, with respect to encouraging and practising a lifestyle consistent with solid character. This will take a concerted effort on the part of parents, the Church, the education system, the politicians, the Government, the media, the protective services, the courts and the prisons.
We will most certainly have to pay attention as to who we exalt or project as role models to our young people. Are the vulgar entertainers, with their filthy and violence-provoking music, the ideal role models for a nation that’s seriously interested in fashioning a culture of spirituality, morality and peace? And what about the diabolical flood of television shows that’s fraught violence? How serious are we about ridding ourselves of the drug demon? How can we do this when so many of the heroes we promote for our younger generation are known drug users in the entertainment world and otherwise? Many of them openly glorify the evil in music and by other means. There is a lot of work to be done in seriously embarking upon a meaningful course of moral and spiritual character development. It is however quite a reachable goal. We must honestly face the facts of the challenge and be very sincere in the relevant endeavours. Anything less will be an exercise in delusion.
THE EDITOR: bpTT is deeply concerned with the views expressed this week by Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha executive member Parsuram Maharaj in his weekly Newsday column under the headline “Insensitivity of bpTT”. Before addressing our concerns we would like to thank Mr Maharaj for publicly commending bpTT for “attempting to reinvest in the community: and for applauding us for an advertising campaign that ensures the programme is known nationally. But Mr Maharaj seems to have misunderstood the policy guidelines and the intent that inform our social investment strategy. He makes reference to Dr Suruj Rambachan’s daily radio talk show Panchayat, which, he said, highlighted the “in built bias against Indo-Trinidadian culture with (sic) bpTT’s ‘Spirit of Community Awards’ (SOCA)”. Nothing could be further from reality.
Our policies, and all our efforts, have been formulated to eliminate the possibility of bias, not just in SOCA, but in all our relationships, be them with the community, the Government, our customers, our suppliers, or our partners. Perhaps our position had not been properly articulated. It is not that bpTT does not support religious-based organisations; we don’t support projects that would benefit only the members of a given segment of the society, whether that segment is defined by race, religion, ethnicity, or politics. If, for example, a religious organisation submits a proposal that will have broad-based national impact, we would gladly support it. Our position, that we will not support any project that is politically, ethnically, racially or religiously biased is one that we stand firm and proudly behind. We will not be involved in any activity that will cause or deepen the divisions in our society. Our Spirit of Community Awards (formerly Leader Awards) was started in 1998 with the expressed purpose of creating positive change in our society by affecting the lives of the less fortunate. Projects that have the potential for self-sustainability and to create/generate the greatest impact on the largest audience are given preference. All non-Governmental and Community-based organisations in Trinidad and Tobago are invited to apply for our financial support to undertake self-determined programmes.
Independent selection committees comprising representatives from relevant government agencies, bpTT staff and experts in the relevant fields select winning projects in the respective categories — Youth in Education; The Arts and Culture; the Environment; Social Support Services. So far, we have made 58 Awards to organisations ranging from Persons with Visual Impairment to the Cedros Women for Family Empowerment. Mr Maharaj also cites our support for the Marionettes Chorale as evidence of “pro-Christian bias”. Our association with Marionettes dates back some 30 years. It is not a religious-based organisation, and we are not their sole sponsors. We cannot prevent them from participating in fund-raising ventures of any form, be them Christian or otherwise. That is their prerogative. The same obtains for the bpTT Renegades. We do take Mr Maharaj’s point that it is indeed difficult to say exactly where Hindu culture ends and Indian culture begins. But it is equally difficult to say which group represents national Indo Trinidadian culture, and we seek his input in this regard. We invite Mr Maharaj to come in and review our social investment policy and programmes. We would welcome constructive criticism to ensure that our programmes are robust, transparent, and generating social transformation, especially in light of his stated concerns.
DONNA RAMSAMMY
Vice President
Government and Public Affairs
BP Trinidad and Tobago LLC
THE EDITOR: Percapita, Trinidad and Tobago, a country of 1.5m, has more combined natural and human resources than most developing countries. Our sudden unearned wealth in the seventies did not change our third world mentality. This attitude is however inconsistent with the achievements of our citizens on the world stage. In every human endeavour, we have members of our society excelling at the highest level. We can stretch our minds back to Dr Pawan to the most recent achievement of George Bovell III. To mention those who have proudly flown the flag of TT during the period spanning the years between these two citizens would engage our attention for some time. Why can we not have politicians of like calibre and integrity?
The time has come where all citizens must make a concerted effort to engage themselves in their representations at all levels. We are suffering the consequences of that ‘not me and politics’ attitude. Our pride should drive us to have representation reflective of our society. Do we want the world to think of us as a nation of under-achievers? Let us reflect and see whom we voted to be our representatives. Are these the people we feel the world at large would embrace with respect and admiration? The time has come to correct our image and it is up to every citizen to engage in political discourse to encourage those in our society to come forward to serve the nation. People of impeccable character with the courage of their convictions and who can manage our affairs with equality and justice are sorely needed.
WILLIAM A DALTON-BROWN
Port-of-Spain
THE EDITOR: It was T H White who said that, “The most difficult thing in the world is to know how to do a thing and to watch somebody else doing it wrong, without comment.” Clearly this statement cannot be attributed to the experts and experienced practitioners who are engaged in either social developmental programmes or provide advice as part of their vocational raison detre in Trinidad and Tobago. I refer here to the plethora of well meaning and sound advice to government and the business community who are now the targets of the criminal elements that are growing in brazenness in the perpetration of crime against the person and property. The response of the government and those directly affected (the victims), to my mind are at best “a frinziful self-preservation desperation”.
The current situation reminds me of the great words of Buckminster Fuller (1895-1983) when he wrote “When I am working on a problem I never think about beauty. I only think about how to solve the problem. But when I have finished, if the solution is not beautiful, I know it is wrong.” These towering words come into significance when one considers the numerous failed crime plans that have not elicited an evaluative pronouncement by the authorities, but for further plans with quaint acronyms such as anaconda, Baghdad and the like. I suspect that in the present round of kidnapping intensification more fanciful appellations will emerge from inclined minds only to be supplanted by others because the solutions proffered “lack the finished beauty’ though we are never told that they were ‘wrong’. The efforts of experts from both ends of the academic and professional-practitioner spectrum cannot now be ignored if lasting solutions are to be found to this nagging problem which, according to the authorities, have not affected foreign investment, local business interests and our international standing. What ‘pie in the sky and wishful thinking’!. One simply has to go on the Internet and read the gargantuan negative reviews this country is getting. Is the government saying that these are ‘much a do about nothing!?’ For heaven’s sake get real!
I have considered and evaluated the matrix of solutions offered and I am very impressed with those advanced by Professor Ramesh Deosaran, Father Jerry Pantin and the commentary of President Maxwell Richards. Perhaps the most potent to date can be extrapolated from one whom I consider a Laventille icon and sleeping giant for social transformation at the grass roots and social justice level, Mr Lennox Smith. I have heard him many times on radio, television, and read his comments in all of the local newspapers. In fact, I was so impressed with his articulation of both the problem and the solutions that I was driven to call in on a radio programme to suggest an advisory position for him by government. Indeed, Mr Smith’s experience and practical workable antidote to the crime situation are nestled in deep concentration and study of the subject over years. If the society will only listen attentively, the echo of Mr Smith’s counter crime measures will proffer the panacea since it recognises and respects the source of the issue and advocates the intrinsic and pivotal role of the individual, family, the neighbourhood and institutions of socialisation/control in a cost-effective. dynamic and holistic concatenation necessary for resolution of the present crime crisis. For it was Benjamin Franklin who said “You may delay, but time will not” while Proverbs 23:18 notes “For, is there a posterity? Then thy hope is not cut off”. The government has a responsibility to swallow its pride and pursue those of wisdom and experience in the present battle to make the final solution “beautiful”.
NOEL SAMUEL
Tunapuna
THE EDITOR: Trinidad and Tobago’s wealth of natural assets lends itself to the development of a tourism product that is in part based on ecology. The natural assets of Trinidad also lends itself to the promotion and development of the ecotourism market. As some of us may know, there are over 430 species of birds, 620 species of butterflies, 2300 different mammals and 70 different reptiles. But, surprisingly, they are in grave danger. Mammals such as the agouti and manicou are hunted for their flesh. The tiger cat or ocelot is now an endangered species due to over hunting and hence, is rarely seen. Also the Tree Porcupine is slowly becoming endangered as its natural habitat is being destroyed due to the numerous bush fires this year and in the past years. Trinidad and Tobago is sometimes called, “Paradise of Birds,” but that will not last long. Bush fires also contribute to the destruction of bird habitats. There is little hope for these beautiful creatures. Fortunately, since 1967, the Asa Wright Nature Centre has functioned both as a wildlife sanctuary and nature lodge.
Although it is found all over the world, the leatherback turtle or caldon chooses only a few select beaches to lay its eggs. Being the largest turtle in the world, it is in danger of becoming extinct due to hunters who kill it for food. This really disturbs me because these hunters are destroying our ecosystem. Other turtles facing extinction in our paradise are the Hawksbill and the Olive Ridley. All of these spectacular creatures play an important role in the ecosystem of Trinidad and Tobago. Although hunting, agriculture and squatters have led to the destruction of much of the natural landscape there is still a great deal to be seen and protected. Taking a trip into the heart of our isles may bring you closer to mother nature. It will take you into a delicate ecosystem in a world long-forgotten that is filled with wonderful sights.
VENAI RAMSUMAIR
Cunupia
THE EDITOR: Please allow me to express my views on the turn of events taking place in our country today. As a parent (single) I make an extra effort to teach my children what is right from wrong. They need to be taught this from their tender age. I find it to be solely my responsibility and not any one else’s. In my days of going to school (secondary) the most offensive “crime” was wearing the wrong colour shoes, breaking classes or not being punctual. Never was there such nonsense as beating the teacher, guns and knives as it is today! Why have we allowed the situation to get so out of control as parents? Our children have taken such an unbelievable path that it leaves us speechless. But if we would back track a little to the times when instead of talking and teaching our children basic training and manners, we said to ourselves “they will learn when they go to school!” We replaced these times by an important career opportunity, tickets to a concert (not gospel), the famous second parent, cable, or by the reason that he or she is my only child, “the golden egg,” let them do what they want. What a real pity! What do our young ones profit from these things? Will any of them build their character in a positive way?
I firmly believe that children are influenced by what they are exposed to, what they see and are taught. That is what they take straight into their adulthood. And their characteristics evolve on ‘acting out’ what they saw as children. We sit and take a ‘puff,’ smoke a ‘joint,’ make a ‘small thief,’ curse in the presence of our children. And now with eyes and mouth wide open we wonder to ourselves ‘Where this breed of children comes from? They come from our homes! “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he would not depart from it” — Proverb 22:6. This is the best crime prevention plan anyone can introduce. After all our children are ‘the future.’ We cannot totally rely on teachers or the services of National Security to work over time. To deploy 1000 extra police to eradicate or at least try to, all these bad seeds we have released into society is acting too late. Yes, they do have an obligation to protect and to serve. But we have the ultimate responsibility, ie to train and teach what we want our young ones to contribute to society. Gone are the days when the whole family attended church and prayed together. Now the common sight is only children going to Sunday School, if so much. Saying ‘good morning,’ ‘thank you,’ ‘you are welcome,’ ‘hello’ etc are rarely heard from our youths by the elderly. Anybody could ‘make a baby’ but it takes parents to nurture that child. Instead of pointing the finger around, instead of saying what you want what others and Government officials to do about the crime wave hitting our land, put in your contribution today! Let’s start at home, as parents. If every home adopts this mentality we will really have the best solution.
MB
Tacarigua
THE EDITOR: The bond between a mother and a son,
An existing bond that is second to none,
A bond that exists in its own special way,
Only growing stronger day after day.
Bonding from the day of my remarkable birth,
Convincing me that you are indeed the best mother on earth.
Showering me with all your care, attention and love,
A blessing you are from the Father above.
You taught me everything I needed to know,
Guiding me, showing me the path to follow.
Using your hands, molding my mind, body and soul,
Helping me plan towards achieving my ultimate goal.
God alone knows how much we have been through,
Blessing me to share this bond with a mother like you
Mother, how much I appreciate sharing this tie,
That gradually strengthens as times goes by.
AMRISH C RAMSUNDAR
Port-of-Spain
