Politics
Trinidad and Tobago: 36 years as a republic
Trinidad and Tobago is celebrating its 36th year as a republic on Monday with contrasting messages from the political directorate in the oil rich twin island republic.
Acting President Timothy Hamel-Smith has told the nation that the time has come to stop believing in fairy tales and do the work Trinidad and Tobago requires to become a better place to live.
“We must give up the notion that some fairy godmother is going to emerge to transform our land and fulfil our dreams. It is we the people, each of us individually and collectively working together, who will gain for us the prosperity which we desire,” he said.
“It’s time to take stock. At this juncture, we must ask ourselves where we are and what we have achieved after 50 years of Independence… there is no one coming to the rescue of Trinidad and Tobago. That is the job which we must do,” he said.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar said “in this realm of positive reflection” citizens must also remember “we are a young nation state and there are still growing pains to be endured”.
She said her coalition People’s Partnership government , which came to office in 2010, “has been actively involved in developing our country on the basis of consensus and consultation.
“We are cognisant of the importance of engaging with all of the citizenry when making decisions that affect us; we are committed to letting the will of the people be the driving force of government.
