New State Boards coming in T&T "within days": Karim

The new People's Partnership (PP) Government in Trinidad and Tobago will appoint "within a matter of days" new boards of directors at many of the state run institutions.

Tertiary Education Minister Senator Fazal Karim made the announcement in Toronto Sunday afternoon in a speech at the annual "We t'ing" event organised by the Trinidad and Tobago Consulate in Toronto to celebrate the country's 48th anniversary of independence.

Karim is in Toronto on a private visit until Tuesday and accepted an invitation to drop in and bring greetings from Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

The minister said the government is aware of concerns expressed by citizens that there has been a delay in making board appointments.

However he explained that it has taken time to put the boards in place because "we wanted to select only the most qualified and most competent citizens to fill these positions".

He commended T&T citizens living in Canada for their dedication to their home country.

"All of you, by your very presence...have demonstrated clearly and unambiguously that you care about Trinidad and Tobago," he said.

"The honourable Prime Minister, Mrs Persad-Bissesssar, has asked me to convey to you, the thanks and appreciation of the Government and people of Trinidad and Tobago for your continued interest in, and significant contribution to, the development of our beloved country," he added.

Karim said the election of the People's Partnership Government was "a statement of hope" and a clear indication that the people were fed up of escalating crime, divisive policies, the neglect of infrastructure and rampant corruption.

The people voted against an administration, he said, that had made Trinidad and Tobago a society in which "everybody felt like second class citizens at times".

The minister spoke of achievements and priorities for the new administration. He said the government responded immediately to floods and offered quick relief to victims. Other achievements included:

• A frontal attack on crime with the appointment of a Police Commissioner from Canada and one of three Deputy Commissioners, also from Canada
• An emphasis on creating "a knowledge driven entrepreneurial, innovative critical thinking citizenry" to drive development
• Higher education to focus on technical and vocational training
• A full review of national infrastructure to deal with years of neglect
• A commitment to make local government representatives more receptive to solving people's problems, noting that "there is a new zeal" in the local government ministry
• An investor-friendly environment that would provide opportunities for citizens who want to return home and invest in the country

Karim urged everyone to pay attention to the the People's Partnership's first budget on September 8 and also to what the Prime Minister will present to the world when she addresses the United Nations in New York on September 26.

The minister also addressed an issue that has hurt developing states in the past - a brain drain - noting that in the new world order such a handicap has reverse good benefits.

"So my advice to you...is to study hard and work diligently in your adopted country. Master the skills, excel in what you do. Make Trinidad and Tobago proud of your achievements in Canada.

"And seek always to help us, and in so doing, you will be playing your part in making the world a better place," he said.

"We need people like you. We need citizens of goodwill and excellence," Karim said.