After 48 years of independence T&T nothing but a failed state
Published: 17 Sep 2010
As we continue to mark the 48th anniversary of our independence, I reflect and ask myself: after 48 years, am I satisfied with the progress of my country? I am finding it very difficult to say that am satisfied.
What I am seeing is a nation full of deceit, deception, and dishonesty; with senior citizens not been given the respect that they are due and our young people losing purpose and direction.
I see a nation which has failed its people after 48 years, when we should be proud as a nation having progressed over the years with all facets in place and benefiting our citizenry. We are nothing but a failed state. How can we be truly happy and proud as a people when we see our Ag Commissioner of Police being unceremoniously terminated on the eve of our independence, having served this nation with distinction? In our 48 years as an independent nation it is the worse act perpetrated on a serving head. We are truly an ungrateful nation.
How can we be happy as a nation when the level of indiscipline is so intolerable among our young people who have lost purpose and direction? Where has our nation’s watchwords gone? The “Father of the Nation,” the late Dr Eric Eustace Williams, must be turning in his watery grave when he sees the direction that this country is headed in after he left a solid foundation on which to build and after giving to this nation independence 48 years ago. On this 48th anniversary of independence, all is no totally lost and I am calling on every citizen to rededicate their efforts to the rebuilding of our nation, always reminded of the watchwords: Discipline, Production and Tolerance. And let ever creed and race have an equal place.
Let us as a people preserve and protect our democracy. Let us respect and honour our senior citizens. Let us love one another and remove spite and vindictiveness. Let us truly love our nation. Let us be always thankful to the Father of the Nation for all he did for this nation. Today my joy and happiness are in congratulating Kamaluddin Mohammed, who has been recognised for his contribution to the national landscape with the nation’s highest award. You served under Williams with distinction and honour and should have been awarded this honour long before ,but nothing happens before its time.
Reginald Nidale
Port-of-Spain