My Fellow Citizens The role of a Prime Minister is to govern in the best interest of the people.
Not every need can be met in the short term, since resources are never infinite and hence prioritization of projects and programs of work is a necessity.
I have always maintained in answer to my philosophy of leadership, that I listen before leading, that I try as far as possible to build a healthy consensus with respect to decision making.
Thus far as Prime Minister, I believe that I have sought to live faithfully to this my espoused philosophy.
I know however final decision making is my responsibility.
It is for this reason that I try to be very careful in the decisions I make, sometimes taking a bit more time so to do.
It is difficult in government to reverse a decision and as such one has to be extremely cautious, especially in a complex and plural society like Trinidad and Tobago, where the concerns of so many different interests have to balance in the course of decision making.
I have to the best of my ability tried to achieve this in my decisions including the changes I have announced.
As Prime Minister, I have never feared admitting where I have erred. It is part of my desire to recognize the need for transparency in government and of being human.
Only God doesn’t make mistakes.
Without harping on the issues of the past or on the quality of management of the economy under the previous regime, my government’s inheritance included a depleted treasury, poor level of citizen security, the problems surrounding CLICO and HCU, corruption and wastage, a demoralized public service and a population whose basic needs for a better quality of life remained an elusive dream.
Despite the inheritance, we are committed to bring about the change people desire.
The fair minded amongst us will admit on reflection that the process of change has indeed begun.
As your elected government, one to whom you gave a Constitutional majority, we will not shirk from our responsibilities.
We will see it as our national duty, the need to solve your problems, to achieve citizen security, to build a society where every creed and race find an equal place, where discipline tolerance and production will not only be our watchwords but will manifest in our daily activities and relationships, where the spirit of neighbourliness would re-emerge and a strong sense of community will again dominate our national consciousness, and where we would share each other’s’ cultural space and an improved understanding would provide the platform for national harmony and peace.
We have a challenging journey ahead of us together.
The next session of Parliament begins tomorrow with a full ceremonial opening.
It will be the last ceremonial opening in the Red House before the Parliament building is fully restored.
Preparations have already begun for the 2011 budget.
Your government will proceed to work at high intensity on all fronts.
Our focus will now be directed to improving the delivery of goods and services to you, the people; growing the economy; attracting investments and stimulating business; creating jobs and keeping the cost of living under control.
In addition, we want to strengthen and boost our social infrastructure and educate and train our people for a modern, thriving economy.
The gains we have made in containing crime, we will consolidate.
Our objective will be to continue to reduce the number of murders and other violent crimes as well as to contain other minor offences.
Your government is committed to serving you, listening to you and responding to you.
As we usher in tomorrow, I pledge on behalf of my government, to collectively redouble our efforts in the interest of our great nation, Trinidad and Tobago.
I thank you.
May God continue to bless each of you and may God bless our nation.
Not every need can be met in the short term, since resources are never infinite and hence prioritization of projects and programs of work is a necessity.
I have always maintained in answer to my philosophy of leadership, that I listen before leading, that I try as far as possible to build a healthy consensus with respect to decision making.
Thus far as Prime Minister, I believe that I have sought to live faithfully to this my espoused philosophy.
I know however final decision making is my responsibility.
It is for this reason that I try to be very careful in the decisions I make, sometimes taking a bit more time so to do.
It is difficult in government to reverse a decision and as such one has to be extremely cautious, especially in a complex and plural society like Trinidad and Tobago, where the concerns of so many different interests have to balance in the course of decision making.
I have to the best of my ability tried to achieve this in my decisions including the changes I have announced.
As Prime Minister, I have never feared admitting where I have erred. It is part of my desire to recognize the need for transparency in government and of being human.
Only God doesn’t make mistakes.
Without harping on the issues of the past or on the quality of management of the economy under the previous regime, my government’s inheritance included a depleted treasury, poor level of citizen security, the problems surrounding CLICO and HCU, corruption and wastage, a demoralized public service and a population whose basic needs for a better quality of life remained an elusive dream.
Despite the inheritance, we are committed to bring about the change people desire.
The fair minded amongst us will admit on reflection that the process of change has indeed begun.
As your elected government, one to whom you gave a Constitutional majority, we will not shirk from our responsibilities.
We will see it as our national duty, the need to solve your problems, to achieve citizen security, to build a society where every creed and race find an equal place, where discipline tolerance and production will not only be our watchwords but will manifest in our daily activities and relationships, where the spirit of neighbourliness would re-emerge and a strong sense of community will again dominate our national consciousness, and where we would share each other’s’ cultural space and an improved understanding would provide the platform for national harmony and peace.
We have a challenging journey ahead of us together.
The next session of Parliament begins tomorrow with a full ceremonial opening.
It will be the last ceremonial opening in the Red House before the Parliament building is fully restored.
Preparations have already begun for the 2011 budget.
Your government will proceed to work at high intensity on all fronts.
Our focus will now be directed to improving the delivery of goods and services to you, the people; growing the economy; attracting investments and stimulating business; creating jobs and keeping the cost of living under control.
In addition, we want to strengthen and boost our social infrastructure and educate and train our people for a modern, thriving economy.
The gains we have made in containing crime, we will consolidate.
Our objective will be to continue to reduce the number of murders and other violent crimes as well as to contain other minor offences.
Your government is committed to serving you, listening to you and responding to you.
As we usher in tomorrow, I pledge on behalf of my government, to collectively redouble our efforts in the interest of our great nation, Trinidad and Tobago.
I thank you.
May God continue to bless each of you and may God bless our nation.
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