A glance at the newspapers would give one the impression that nothing of substance is happening in Trinidad and Tobago and that government is at a standstill.
The reason for this has to do in the main with the very high expectations people have of this government and secondly, the speed with which they want things delivered. A population that has been disappointed by past administrations is losing, if not has already lost, its patience with promises. This is clearly understandable and must be treated with.
In addition here in TT the attitude to the government is being influenced by what has been happening in other parts of the world where in countries under non-democratic rule for many years, people have been gathering in numbers to protest.
In addition here in TT the attitude to the government is being influenced by what has been happening in other parts of the world where in countries under non-democratic rule for many years, people have been gathering in numbers to protest.
It appears that the same strategies are being used by our people to gather attention to their issues, since past experience with past administrations have dictated that more than requests are required for action. People have become cynical and some have become non-believers in the promise of government to deliver change. The progress of this government has been lost in the myriad of protests that have been occurring. The government is however progressing.
Even if the target for the growth in the economy has been revised from 1.7% to 1.4 % or even 1%, it still represents the hope of a turnaround from several years of economic decline. Despite this, the government has done well to ensure that the unemployment rate has remained below 6% and that the financial system has remained stable, though people on fixed incomes have been placed under severe pressure due to falling interest rates.
Even if the target for the growth in the economy has been revised from 1.7% to 1.4 % or even 1%, it still represents the hope of a turnaround from several years of economic decline. Despite this, the government has done well to ensure that the unemployment rate has remained below 6% and that the financial system has remained stable, though people on fixed incomes have been placed under severe pressure due to falling interest rates.
An unstable financial system would have meant greater economic instability and even the incursion of the IMF. That we have steered clear of the IMF and have been receiving favourable credit ratings is evidence of the progress the government has in fact been making. Financial and economic instability would have dealt crushing blows to developing a platform for a sustainable economy.
From Sunday Express June 9th 2012: “Dookeran, however, saw signs in the MPR (Monetary Policy Report) that the economy is rebounding. By 2011 year-end Private sector lending was up by 3.7 percent (year on year) compared to a 2.2 percent drop a year earlier. March 2012 saw a 4.8 percent hike in business credit. The value of real estate mortgage loans now in service rose by ten percent to $10.6 billion, including an 8.7 percent rise in the number of new residential mortgages in 2012 which totalled 3,426 loans. He said in 2011, a bullish TT Stock Market had seen its composite price index rise by 21 percent, compared to a 9.2 percent rise in 2010 and a 9.2 percent drop in 2009.”
Further progress was reported by Mr Dookeran in the Senate debate on the Supplementation Bill when he noted as reported in Sunday’s Newsday: He said he had successfully allocated some $20 billion on top of TT’s normal budgetary allocations to save the economy by frontally handling the debts owed to Clico claimants ($9 billion), contractors ($4 billion) and businessmen owed VAT refunds ($5 billion).
Yes, it has been two years that the government has been in office. However, not enough credit is being given to the government in terms of its impact on the quality of life.
From Sunday Express June 9th 2012: “Dookeran, however, saw signs in the MPR (Monetary Policy Report) that the economy is rebounding. By 2011 year-end Private sector lending was up by 3.7 percent (year on year) compared to a 2.2 percent drop a year earlier. March 2012 saw a 4.8 percent hike in business credit. The value of real estate mortgage loans now in service rose by ten percent to $10.6 billion, including an 8.7 percent rise in the number of new residential mortgages in 2012 which totalled 3,426 loans. He said in 2011, a bullish TT Stock Market had seen its composite price index rise by 21 percent, compared to a 9.2 percent rise in 2010 and a 9.2 percent drop in 2009.”
Further progress was reported by Mr Dookeran in the Senate debate on the Supplementation Bill when he noted as reported in Sunday’s Newsday: He said he had successfully allocated some $20 billion on top of TT’s normal budgetary allocations to save the economy by frontally handling the debts owed to Clico claimants ($9 billion), contractors ($4 billion) and businessmen owed VAT refunds ($5 billion).
Yes, it has been two years that the government has been in office. However, not enough credit is being given to the government in terms of its impact on the quality of life.
If I may give an example, the government has placed emphasis on education at all levels but particularly at the pre-school and tertiary levels. In terms of the former, already twenty four Early Childhood Centers have been completed with another twenty nine in progress.
The introduction of Human Values in Education, Character Building and Citizenship into the curriculum is a significant development in that it is also meant to affect the belief system of our children who will become the young men and women in the future.
With having to combat crime, this program is a most important strategic intervention. This too is progressive thinking on the part of the government. While crime fighting has to include more effective policing, the government recognizes the need for a holistic intervention to ensure that the present generation is not lost to the criminal elements.
The Government is making progress. One of the traditional areas of neglect has been sporting facilities. While large stadia are required, yet we must recognize that the country is made up of hundreds of villages. It is from these village grounds that our renowned sportsmen have emerged. The government has recognized the importance of sports as a community integrating and people (youth) transformational tool.
The Government is making progress. One of the traditional areas of neglect has been sporting facilities. While large stadia are required, yet we must recognize that the country is made up of hundreds of villages. It is from these village grounds that our renowned sportsmen have emerged. The government has recognized the importance of sports as a community integrating and people (youth) transformational tool.
As such close to 100 recreation grounds are at this time being developed. This too is progress. With the Health Ministry placing emphasis on healthy lifestyles, these grounds equipped with jogging tracks and pavilions as well as lit for night time sports will make a tremendous difference to communities in general.
In this regard, the plan of the government (designs in progress) to construct a hospital to treat non communicable diseases in Penal is a mark of progress for it takes into account the devastating costs of NCD’s to the economy and to productive lifestyles. Add to this the Children’s Hospital a dedicated facility in Central Trinidad, the first of its kind in the country, (and with a burns treatment unit) and you will agree that this is a step in putting TT on par with developed nations.
In this regard, the plan of the government (designs in progress) to construct a hospital to treat non communicable diseases in Penal is a mark of progress for it takes into account the devastating costs of NCD’s to the economy and to productive lifestyles. Add to this the Children’s Hospital a dedicated facility in Central Trinidad, the first of its kind in the country, (and with a burns treatment unit) and you will agree that this is a step in putting TT on par with developed nations.
It is noteworthy that as industrialized as we are TT does not have a first class burns treatment unit. It must also be mentioned that by the end of the year the Chancery Lane Hospital Complex will come on stream, adding to bed capacity and specialized services in the South. All of this is progress!
The government is making progress. While crime continues to be problematic, the government has been laying the foundations for controlling crime. For example, though the Anti-Gang Law proved challenging due to the fact that evidence pre-dating the law could not be used, it is now on the law books and it is now up to the law enforcement authorities to apply it effectively.
The government is making progress. While crime continues to be problematic, the government has been laying the foundations for controlling crime. For example, though the Anti-Gang Law proved challenging due to the fact that evidence pre-dating the law could not be used, it is now on the law books and it is now up to the law enforcement authorities to apply it effectively.
So too other pieces of legislation including those relating to anti-terrorism, bail, kidnapping and firearms. The government has made definite progress on the package of legislative matters needed to combat crime. Add to these bills the electronic monitoring bill as well as the Children’s Bill meant to protect our children and you will see emerging a strategy aimed at improving citizen security as a whole.
The government is making progress. One of the most maligned programs has been the URP. It is this administration which has taken up the challenge to reform the URP. It is doing so by ensuring that more productive use is being made of the employees in the field of agriculture through the Ministry of Food Production. Mr Bharath, the Minister has announced that by the end of 2012 almost 1000 persons from URP will be involved in agriculture.
The government is making progress. One of the most maligned programs has been the URP. It is this administration which has taken up the challenge to reform the URP. It is doing so by ensuring that more productive use is being made of the employees in the field of agriculture through the Ministry of Food Production. Mr Bharath, the Minister has announced that by the end of 2012 almost 1000 persons from URP will be involved in agriculture.
This change is significant given the traditional perception of the URP program as a modified dole system. It is noteworthy that the infrastructural achievements by the Ministry of Food Production has been unparalleled. For the first time in the history of Agriculture a Strategic Plan aimed at reducing food imports by 50% by 2012 has been made public and for which the Minister holds himself publicly accountable.
This has ushered in a new definition of governance, one that focuses upon accountability. For the first time also an administration is holding up itself to an annual accountability exercise by publishing in all newspapers its achievements and allowing the people to judge thereby its performance. This was never done before.
The protests around the country have in the main to do with infrastructure, roads and drains as well as silted rivers needing dredging. In this area also substantial progress is being made.
The protests around the country have in the main to do with infrastructure, roads and drains as well as silted rivers needing dredging. In this area also substantial progress is being made.
Over the last month 166 projects have been announced and many of these have started. The reality is that the poor infrastructure has been so extensive that it will take several years of programming of road works to make a substantial dent into the demands that exist. Yet a drive through areas where complaints were made through protest would reveal substantial progress.
The statistics for the number of miles of roads paved as well as slipper drains and box drains built, the number of kilometres of rivers cleared would also make good reading.
The people of Couva, Preysal and Point Lisas will certainly testify to the impact of the new arrangements at the Couva interchange as much as those who regularly use the Caroni Road through Kelly Village to Piarco will also testify to the impact of the St Helena By Pass road to Piarco Airport. All of this is progress.
One area of significant progress has been in the expansion of the work of the national Self-help Commission. It is noteworthy that within two to three days of roofs being blown off or houses being damaged byhigh winds and floods, the NSHC provides grants to repair those homes. The speed and efficiency with which it is being done is also a demonstration of a new attitude towards service from the government to the people.
One area of significant progress has been in the expansion of the work of the national Self-help Commission. It is noteworthy that within two to three days of roofs being blown off or houses being damaged byhigh winds and floods, the NSHC provides grants to repair those homes. The speed and efficiency with which it is being done is also a demonstration of a new attitude towards service from the government to the people.
Relative to service excellence and responsiveness, Progress has also been made by the Ministry of Legal affairs with respect to the establishment of 14 Electronic Registration centers, which have reduced the waiting time for birth and death certificates from between three and six months after registration to mere minutes after registration. It is simple changes like this which is bringing great relief to the citizenry. It too is a sign of progress.
In the area of poverty, the empowerment of people through an expanded YTEPP is but one platform for alleviating poverty. In addition, grants from both the HDC and the Ministry of the People for the upgrading of housing has gone a long way to improving the quality of life of hundreds of citizens. All of this in addition to the NSDP program which has brought about lights to homes where persons could not have afforded the same.
Progress is also being made with respect to the construction of libraries in Chaguanas, Mayaro and Rio Claro. AS well several Police and Fire Stations will soon commence construction.
Recognizing the need to expand markets for our manufacturers, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Trade and Industry have been negotiating new trade agreements with Central American countries thereby expanding the market for our goods to almost 40 million more persons.
TO SUGGEST THAT THE GOVERNMENET IS NOT MAKING PROGRESS IS AN ABSURDITY.
It is possible that the speed with which people want change is what is causing the mass of criticisms and anxieties. However, without masking a defence, the government did not start from scratch. The debts were not paid off by the previous administration when the PP came into power.
In the area of poverty, the empowerment of people through an expanded YTEPP is but one platform for alleviating poverty. In addition, grants from both the HDC and the Ministry of the People for the upgrading of housing has gone a long way to improving the quality of life of hundreds of citizens. All of this in addition to the NSDP program which has brought about lights to homes where persons could not have afforded the same.
Progress is also being made with respect to the construction of libraries in Chaguanas, Mayaro and Rio Claro. AS well several Police and Fire Stations will soon commence construction.
Recognizing the need to expand markets for our manufacturers, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Trade and Industry have been negotiating new trade agreements with Central American countries thereby expanding the market for our goods to almost 40 million more persons.
TO SUGGEST THAT THE GOVERNMENET IS NOT MAKING PROGRESS IS AN ABSURDITY.
It is possible that the speed with which people want change is what is causing the mass of criticisms and anxieties. However, without masking a defence, the government did not start from scratch. The debts were not paid off by the previous administration when the PP came into power.
Again the performance and progress of the PP government must be looked at against the background of what it inherited and how it has treated with this inheritance. Sadly, a lot of people want that part of the political and administrative history to be wiped away. It can’t be wiped away.
In posting this article, I now invite contributors to add where they have witnessed progress on the part of this PP govt. It might be a road , a drain, a school, a community center, surgery at the hospital or any other area of progress. When you begin to examine it very carefully you will see that the Givernmnet is indeed making progress—and which kind is tangible!
In posting this article, I now invite contributors to add where they have witnessed progress on the part of this PP govt. It might be a road , a drain, a school, a community center, surgery at the hospital or any other area of progress. When you begin to examine it very carefully you will see that the Givernmnet is indeed making progress—and which kind is tangible!
Dr Surujrattan Rambachan,
Minister of Communication & Foreign Affairs
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