Lack
of consultation the issue, Mr Manning
So, Prime Minister Patrick Manning is seeking a
meeting with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez because
he (Chavez) announced his country's Petrocaribe
proposal without consultation with other energy
suppliers in the Caribbean, specifically Trinidad
and Tobago. If Mr Manning gives the same thought
to the T&T Government's plans to establish aluminium
smelters, build Government campuses and the Tarouba
Stadium, develop a rapid rail system, and so many
other misguided initiatives, he would understand
the reason for the public challenges to the Government's
actions.
He would understand that the problem
is not industrialisation in itself, but rather the
lack of consultation and the top-down approach to
decision-making.
Such decisions affect not only the
present but also the future for as far as most citizens
can project. They affect the economy, the environment,
the culture of community life in T&T.
The government seems intent on making
this country a microcosm of industrialised societies
as they existed in the 18th century. Mr Manning
may well be surprised to discover that this is not
the only path to "developed nation" status.
Government decision-making must
take into account the wishes of the people and consultation
cannot take the form of prime ministerial directives.
The Prime Minister needs to examine the bona fides
of all these mid-level non-performing technocrats
who are spending the nation's patrimony like nobody's
business certainly not their own; they would not
spend their own money so lavishly.
The need of the people for food,
clothing, shelter, health care, education, is the
primary consideration. Only when these are met can
the grandiose plans for high rise buildings and
rapid rail transport be given attention.
A word to the wise ought to be sufficient.
It is left to be seen whether Mr Manning is wise.
Karan Mahabirsingh
Carapichaima
Trinidad
Express
Saturday,
February 24th 2007
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