Stop “fixing” blame regarding the past and start focusing on the future with the emphasis on the next generation and not the next election. That’s the mandate handed down by President George Maxwell Richards to the Government and Opposition to use as the guideline for their upcoming work in the second session of the tenth Parliament. Richards’ instructions were part of a wide-ranging advisory, stressing the need for equal opportunity, which he delivered to both sides in his address at yesterday’s launch. He addressed Government Ministers and senators, Opposition MPs and senators, Independent senators and members of the judiciary and diplomatic corps at the function at the Red House. It was the last ceremonial opening at that location which will undergo renovations over the next two years.
Calling for policy decisions to ensure even-handedness, equality of opportunity and transparency, Richards said: “We keep hearing that T&T belongs to all of us, yet the evidence does not indicate we have come away from the tendency to seek to promote ‘our own’. “Our policies and practices must reflect a determination to ensure equal opportunity for all citizens, regardless of political affiliation or any other subjective consideration.” He said the individual must not take precedence over the cause and policies must be so established that partisan preoccupations were not allowed to prevail. Richards added: “Opportunity for all, enhanced productive capacity and productivity must be at the centre of our thoughts to move T&T from where we are to where we ought to be.
He added: “With this in mind managers must be committed to proper management and time must be devoted by supervisors to training those under their charge so there is more knowledge of what is required rather than learning from mistakes... without this kind of leadership, the best policies will fail.”
Richards said the start of the session was a good place for stocktaking. He said that also involved a question of leadership and corporate responsibility. Richards added: “How has the country done in the past year? We have witnessed enthusiasm at almost fever pitch, expectations have been high, notwithstanding global challenges which have persisted. While passages have not been easy, we have seen positive movement in some areas.”
He said that included continuing recognition of tertiary education and expansion of the GATE and similar programmes. Richards said those must be maintained as “a necessary stepping stone upwards from poverty.” He noted strides in completing and initiating road networks and the injection of enthusiasm in agriculture. Detailing the status and reserves of the energy sector, Richards called for application of innovative platforms for bio-technology, nano-technology and new materials in the non-energy sector. He stressed the need for continued investment in infrastructure. Richards noted that some, especially youths, have used “living on the wild side” as an escape route and taking “by whatever means, what is perceived to be their piece of the pie.” He suggested a concept of education different from norms. Richards noted skills, ranging from mechanics and plumbing to dress-making to pottery, planting rice, herbs, cocoa and other skills.
