Opinion
- Editorial- Commentary
Selwyn
Ryan:
2007:
Annus Horribilis?
In
many respects, the year 2007 was a very good year.
In other respects, and for many, it was also an "annus
horribilis." Looking at the positive dimensions
first, we note that Trinidad and Tobago continues to
be an oasis of social peace in a world that is consumed
by various manifestations of ethnic extremism. On the
political landscape, we observe that a pivotal general
election was conducted without the loss of life that
is associated with such events elsewhere. The recent
experience of Pakistan reminds us of just how lucky
we are. Everything provides us with an opportunity
to celebrate.
In
terms of the economy, the country continued to benefit
from the prices which are earned by its hydrocarbon
assets. Taking the three things into account, either
separately or collectively, one would be forced to
conclude that Trinidad & Tobago has had a good
year, one that few countries in the world can match.
We take much for granted that we should not.
On the negative side, we remain plagued by violent
homicides and seem to be losing the battle with the
criminal elites. All but the most partisan and polemical
however know that there is no silver bullet that can
make a dent in the problem overnight, even if everything
that has been put on the books is implemented. The
problem is global in scope and complexity, and few
countries have found answers to the challenges posed
by rampant criminality that does not involve extra-judicial
use of counter violence.
Notwithstanding what was said above about the buoyancy
of the economy, the country remains sharply divided
about the correctness of the strategy being pursued.
Surveys indicate that as much as 62 per cent of the
population was of the view that the economy was being
badly managed by the ruling party; only a third (34
per cent) was satisfied with what was being done. There
was particular concern about inflation, high food prices,
the economic and social consequences of the closure
of Caroni, the environmental costs of the energy based
projects, and the gridlock on the roads, to name but
a few of those issues that generate concern.
Indo-Trinidadians
were far more inclined to give the Government a failing
mark than were Afro-Trinidadians
by a margin of 33 per cent (79 per cent-46 per cent).
What is perhaps more significant is the fact that as
many as 46 per cent of the Afro-Trinidadian population
also declared themselves dissatisfied with what the
PNM was doing or not doing. They "do not like
it so," as opposition elements allege.
There was also a great deal of public dissatisfaction
with the Government's plan to build two aluminium smelters
as part of its diversification strategy. Only 18 per
cent of the population felt that the La Brea smelter
should be built: 69 per cent were flatly opposed.
Allegations and counter allegations of corruption
continued to poison political discourse. Sixty-one
per cent of the population believed that the UNC was
corrupt in its time in office and 53 per cent believe
that the PNM was equally or even more corrupt than
its predecessor. Only five per cent opine that the
PNM was free of the taint of corruption: 79 per cent
of the Indo-Trinidadian community see the PNM as being
corrupt while 30 per cent of the Afro-Trinis also hold
this view.
There was also a great deal of public disquiet about
the Prime Minister's formula for effecting Constitution
reform and his proposal to establish an executive presidency.
The public consultations which were held on the issue
indicated disapproval of both the consultation process
and the specific proposed changes, and the matter was
the subject of heated controversy during the election.
Mr Manning was accused of having dictatorial tendencies,
and of attempting to establish a constitutional dictatorship
under the pretext that all this was part of some divinely
scripted plan.
Opinion surveys indicated that only 30 per cent of
the population approved the proposal to shift to an
executive presidency and that 60 per cent rejected
it. Only 37 per cent of the Afro-Trinidadian community
endorsed it while 77 per cent of the Indo-Trinidadian
community flatly opposed it.
There
was also a great deal of controversy over the Prime
Minister's handling of the matters involving
the Chief Justice. Mustill et al have reported, and
have said little about the role of the political executive
in the matter. The general public however indicated
earlier that it was not satisfied with the manner in
which the matter was handled by the Prime Minister.
Only 20 per cent felt he had handled the matter "very
well" or "rather well". Sixty-four per
cent felt that he had not handled it well at all.
As
was the case in the OJ Simpson affair, there was
a sharp ethnic division of opinion on the matter.
Some 80 per cent of the Indo-Trinidadians felt that
Mr Manning handled the matter badly compared to 49
per cent of the Afro Trinidadians. Only 32 per cent
of the latter felt that the matter was well handled.
Interestingly, most of those whom I quizzed on the
matter believe that the CJ did commit the offences
with which he was charged while a majority of Indo-Trinidadians
believe that the CJ was the victim of an anti-Hindu
conspiracy.
They also believe that there was a conspiracy on Manning's
part to subvert the judiciary and rein in its independence.
We shall return to the CJ affair in a subsequent column.
Suffice it to say that no one, certainly not the Chief
Justice, has escaped unscathed.
The
Mustill report is a masterpiece of understatement.
What is pellucidly clear, however, is that the report
has tainted the country's reputation, and has warned
us that whenever we choose judges, chief justices,
and other national officials, competence and integrity
should be privileged rather than ethnicity or the belief
that it is "Mr Buggins turn".
Selwyn
Ryan is
a Trinidas Express' columnist. Petroleumworld
not necessarily share these views.
Editor's
Note: This article was first publish
in Trinidad Express, Sunday,
December 30th 2007.
Petroleumworld reprint this article in the interest
of our readers.
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Petroleumworld
12/ 30 /07
Copyright ©2006
Selwyn
Ryan.
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