$.3m to put flag in every homeBy Anna Ramdass anna.ramdass@trinidadexpress.com
Story Created: Aug 9, 2012 at 11:06 PM ECT
Story Updated: Aug 9, 2012 at 11:06 PM ECT
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/__3m_to_put_flag_in_every_home-165681386.htmlThe Government will be spending just over $307,000 to ensure that a small national flag is placed in every home in the country as part of its new initiative — national patriotism month from August 30 to September 30.
Minister of National Diversification Clifton DeCoteau announced this yesterday at the post-Cabinet news conference at the Office of the Prime Minister, St Clair.
However, when questioned on whether flags that are currently erected in Port of Spain such as those outside the Hyatt were in keeping with the laws, DeCoteau said the National Security Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister sit on a committee which will oversee plans for national patriotism month and ensure that protocols are followed.
The initiative to plant a flag in every home, he said, stems from an initiative of the Naparima scouts.
This flag expansion programme, he said, will be accompanied with an education drive informing people of flag protocols and its usage and meaning.
DeCoteau could not answer which private company will be given the contract to supply these small flags, but disclosed that it will be outsourced by the National Security Ministry.
He also could not say what was the total cost of all the programmes mentioned, saying that proposals were still being made.
Within that one-month period, DeCoteau said items such as pencils, copybooks, bookmarks, wristbands, miniature flags, stickers, key chains, pens, mugs and bottle openers will be distributed to schools, children's homes and members of the public.
He said there will be a "I love my country" radio programme and a national day of prayer in schools.
He said there will also be a launch of the Ministry's jingle and a most patriotic school competitions as well as a production of a national heroes documentary.