“Tomorrow, Trinidad and Tobago celebrates our 64th anniversary of becoming Independent of the British Empire.
We must confront our post independence history with honesty and acknowledge that we should have done much better over the past 64 years considering the strong foundation left by the British.
When our country emerged from British colonial rule to determine our own destiny, we had a higher per capita income level than Japan, Chile, Greece, Spain, Hong Kong, Singapore, Portugal, Mexico, Turkey, Iraq, Brazil, Malaysia, Iran, Morocco, Taiwan, and China. All of these countries have now superseded us.
At that time we had a well organized legal and governance structure, an advanced oil exploration and refining industry, an expansive agricultural industry with large cocoa,coffee, rice, citrus and sugar plantations, a developed railway system, a low crime rate and a very clean environment.
The fact is that the British left us a very prosperous functioning country in 1962.
After 64 years, It’s time we grow up and stop blaming our problems on our colonial past to escape accepting responsibility for bad decisions we made post independence that have resulted in negative consequences for ourselves and our nation.
We all fall at times, we all repeatedly, knowingly make regrettable choices and we all foolishly take shortcuts that are not in our best interest to chase quick success.
Whatever our shortcomings , biases and grievances , we share one citizenship, one homeland and a collective duty to put Trinidad and Tobago first.
We have to move forward with conviction and accountability to be able to bequeath to future generations a stronger, safer and more prosperous nation.
May Almighty God bless our nation.”