“T&T is close to becoming a failed state, where crime and violence is the norm.” So said the president of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions (Fitun) Joseph Remy during a pre-budget forum at the Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU) headquarters, San Fernando, Wednesday. He said in order for T&T to be developed, there must be better business opportunities, a proper investment climate and a modern telecommunications system.
“There is no transparency in public spending and this is perpetuating corruption,” Remy said. He added that the issue of public procurement must be addressed in the 2013-2014 budget. “There seems to be an unwillingness to deal with this because they know that if public procurement legislation is passed it will be difficult to grant lucrative contracts to their friends, family and financiers,” Remy said. He added that the Workers’ Agenda was yet to be implemented.
Remy also called for the development of arts and culture. He said instead of “mamaguying” residents of east Port-of-Spain with free schoolbags, there should be development of a heritage economy. “We must begin building our heritage stock and we have to take care of our heritage buildings,” Remy said.
President of the Artists Coalition (ACTT) Rubadiri Victor, who also spoke, said many promises to protect heritage sites had never materialised, although under the past budget over $100 million was allocated in the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP) for projects dealing with the preservation of arts and culture. “The heritage legislation was passed since 1991 and it was never implemented. In the meantime, we have lost billions of dollars in heritage stock,” Victor said, adding that traditional festivals were collapsing.
“In 2010, we had a lot of hope but now all we face is crushing disappointment,” Victor added. Saying the People’s Partnership Government responded to activism, Victor said it was time for social groups to stand united to bring their issues to the Government. Also attending the forum were senior lecturer of economics at the University of the West Indies Dr Roger Hosein, president of the Banking and General Workers Trade Union Vincent Cabrera and OWTU president general Ancel Roget.