Trinidad and Tobago: A Political Tragedy
Mr.Basdeo Panday |
Dr.Keith Rowley |
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar |
Mr.Jack Warner |
Mr.Patrick Manning |
Occasionally, we at the Mahogany Coconut Think Tank ,have to
endure some pain in exposing the truth. Almost five years ago, Mahogany Coconut
was formed because of a group of Caribbean thinkers existing in the Diaspora.
The group was mainly internet based and comprised a significant number of
Trinidadians and other Caribbean islanders. Many of them have returned to
Trinidad and Tobago, to make contributions to their wonderful island state, and
they remain committed to our cause of truthfully informing the Caribbean and
world of events relevant to our development.
The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, has recently celebrated
fifty years of independence and nationhood. At the peak of its economic
performance, Tand T was generous to its Caribbean neighbors, and is a second
home to many Grenadians who have a long history of seeking economic progress in
TandT.
Many of our most erudite and creative thinkers, artistes and
sportspersons are Trinidadians: Dr. Eric Williams, C.L.R.James, Lloyd Best,
Slinger Francisco (Mighty Sparrow), Brian Lara, and V.S.Naipaul are some of the
Caribbean’s most illustrious citizens. The Mahogany Coconut Group owes much of
its thinking and perspective to these luminaries.
Trinidadians are legendary when it comes to their warmth, hospitality,
humor and their natural ability to make a stranger feel at home in seconds. Even in these difficult times the Trinis
remain dignified and carry their
disappointments with their well acclaimed grace and never ending wit.
Against this background, we are pained to comment on the
nefarious political activities of the current government - the so-called
coalition- which has been christened the Peoples Partnership. We have given
Prime Minister Kamla-Persad-Bissessar, the longest honeymoon to get her act
together. The recent attempts to use parliament to
interfere with the law known as the Section 34 Affair; her inabilty to free herself from shady Minister of National Security, Mr. Jack Warner; appointing party hacks and admirers to sensitive positions and the inability of her government
to reduce crime, paint a failing grade. We are disappointed to say the very
least.
On the other hand, we can see no real hope in the main
opposition, the Peoples National Movement. Its Current leader, Mr. Keith
Rowley, is an opportunist of the highest order. He spent considerable political
energy undermining the former Prime Minister, Mr. Patrick Manning. As one who
was so vehement in undermining his party’s leadership; he has now inherited a
fractured party that shows no signs of
mending. Rowley was crippled before he
assumed the leadership, and his only way forward is to demonstrate to the public,
that he has the leadership qualities necessary, to move the country forward. He
is finding that a very tough assignment.
However, the architect of the current state of political
malaise that has invaded the country is the former Prime Minister, Mr. Patrick
Manning. He was given more chances than any other modern political leader to
bring good governance to Trinidad and Tobago. On every occasion, he squandered
the opportunity. He along with former Prime Minister Mr. Basdeo Panday have
much blood on their hands. Panday came from the trade union movement and his
charismatic personality endeared him to the voters. He triumphed, like Manning,
on more than one occasion but he like Manning (Hart) jumped in the bed of the
rich (Duprey). Corruption will be their collective legacy.
As we watch Trinidad and Tobago sink into a prolonged
paralysis of: corruption, crime, political skullduggery, and general malfeance,
we can only declare it a political tragedy of monumental proportions. We urge
the good people of Trinidad and Tobago, to rescue their democracy. We implore them
to continue their vigilance by making all their political and corporate leaders
accountable. However, our fervent hope is that Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar,
does not end up ,on the garbage heap of political corruption and broken
government. We will not say it is too late but time is running out. If the
great ship of Trinidad and Tobago sinks to the bottom of the Caribbean ocean,
we will all drown in its aftermath.
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