Hurricanes Aftermath: Environment and Crime Challenges ( First published September 28th., 2017) Before Covid-19

One Caribbean Nation.

Virgin Islands

Barbuda

Dominica

We have often noted that we are not in the: “We told you so business”. The reason being that we take no delight, when we predict that some negative features of the region, will eventually lead to serious socio-economic retardation.

The enormous damage done to some islands   by the deadly hurricanes that now dominate regional news and discussion, has brought us to a sense of reality, that only the most obstinate among us, would seek to ignore. We are hoping, some would say against hope itself, that the loud shouts for regional cooperation in the areas of disaster preparedness, are not silenced as the tumult  we now endure, fades.

We have warned that crime and a deteriorating environment, if allowed to continue, would be the ultimate undoing of the region. These positions were taken long before the destruction, that the hurricane season has dumped upon us. It is believed that many of the gains made in the last three decades, will be wiped out by the destruction that has afflicted some of the islands. Some regional leaders have already made requests for debt forgiveness.

While our physical environment has taken a deadly beating; crime and deviancy are creating social headaches for all the region. In many instances, we are being confronted by a double dose of socio-economic maladies. We are not that confident, that the current group of jokers, masquerading as leaders, is capable of successfully dealing with the current situation.

Once more we are forced to place our confidence, not in those who lead, but in those who are being led. The response from citizens, community groups, and the sincere efforts to rush to our neighbors’ assistance, in times of difficulty, are the bright spots in these dark times.

Sadly, we note that a decision to allow citizens from one of the affected islands, to become temporary citizens of Trinidad and Tobago, has been met with an almost embarrassing rebuff, by some members of the Indo- Trinidadian political class, who are suggesting that the government of Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Rowley, is attempting to bring in ‘black’ citizens, as an election ploy, to the advantage of the ruling party, that is considered Afro-Trinidadian.

However, we note that a Barbados, Opposition parliamentarian, Mr. Edmund Hinkson, has said that Barbados, should accommodate students from one of the islands that has been severely affected. Our pessimistic characterization of the current leadership, is somewhat weakened by such progressive ideas.

Let us continue the rebuilding efforts with great haste.

This was before COVID-19.