An Address to the Nation

The following is an Address to the Nation by the Rt. Hon. A. Anderson Morris, Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago [One week after the New Democratic Alliance {NDA} was elected to office after having achieved a majority in the National Parliament].

My fellow citizens, I speak tonight with the greatest of humility, confidence and dignity as we embark upon a journey together, I as your Prime Minister, and you as willing participants in our quest to make this great land of ours a shining example of dedication, perseverance and foresight.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the people of this great Republic for blessing me with the chance to lead the way forward. It has been one week since the general election was held. The New Democratic Alliance thanks you for the support you have shown us, but the time has come when all peoples, whether they voted for us or not must walk the corridors of power together. Consequently, I have held successful discussions with the leaders of the two other political parties represented in the Lower House, the Hon. Basdeo Panday of the United National Congress and the Hon. Patrick Manning of the People’s National Movement and I am pleased to announce the formation of a National Front Government with all parties in the House participating in a new era of good governance where we put people first, and no one is left behind.

After such an exhausting and divisive election campaign, this government will move assiduously ahead with the introduction of the National Unity and Reconciliation Act and a revised Equal Opportunities Act as a precursor to constitutional reform. To demonstrate this government’s commitment to such, I have appointed the Hon. Gillian Lucky as Minister with Responsibility for Constitutional Reform. We expect this process to be completed in three years and this administration will be paying particular attention to progress in this area. As this will become a major undertaking for my government, I have asked Sir Ellis Clarke to act as Special Advisor to the Minister and he has consented so to do. To further strengthen this team, I have asked His Excellency to appoint Clive Phelps as Attorney General.

As I turn my attention towards crime, I wish to declare that we are in a state of war against the criminal elements in our midst. This government is prepared to deal with the situation head on. As such, the Anti Crime Unit will be reorganized with the mandate for tracking, detaining and prosecuting the heads of the various drug empires – we are not after the small fishes in the sea. If you cut the head off the snake, it will die! The majority of the police service will be offered Voluntary Separation of Employment Packages in three phases, which will make way for fresh recruits, without the taint of corruption. These new officers will meet more stringent requirements for entrance and will be trained by a team from Scotland Yard which will also provide management of the service until the transition is complete. To ease the tension that will certainly arise out of such a drastic movement, the United States Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Department for Homeland Security have both agreed to provide this country with technical assistance and man power until we have returned to full capacity. Consequently, I will retain the portfolio of National Security until said transition is complete.

The administration of justice is also instrumental in our fight against crime. I have therefore instructed the Honourable Attorney General to hold consultations with the Judicial and Legal Service Commission in an attempt to ascertain the needs of the Judiciary with the view to expediting the caseloads in the shortest possible time. My administration will see to it that justice is swift, yet fair!

The landscape of both islands in terms of infrastructure is poised for an almost natural development. However, the initiative must come from government in order to get things underway. I have therefore appointed Dr. the Honourable Fuad Khan as Minister of Works and Transport who will oversee within the next five years the introduction of a ferry service between Point Fortin, San Fernando and Port of Spain, and one between Tobago and Toco; the construction of an interchange at the intersection of the Churchill Roosevelt and Uriah Butler Highways; the introduction of the monorail; the construction of a National Centre for the Arts; and by far the most controversial of issues will be the de-urbanization programme which would see the demolition of all structures on the Laventille Hill after the orderly relocation of residents to different parts of the island. This administration will proceed with the construction of a wall separating the community of Morvant from the new commercial district of Port of Spain East that will house office buildings, condominiums and shopping malls as we look to position our great city as the capital of the West Indies. Any resistance to this plan will be met with full force. This government intends to adequately compensate the affected residents by utilizing the Land Acquisition Act as our authority to proceed with this matter.

In an effort to eliminate gang warfare, this administration will take immediate steps to abolish the Community Enhancement Project and Environment Programme [CEPEP] and the Unemployment Relief Programme [URP]. A new system of contracts will be initiated by the Ministry of Implementation and supervised by the International Labour Organization. Selection for contracts will no longer be based on party affiliation. A new time of equal opportunity has dawned on us. The government will take the necessary steps through its trade initiative to strengthen businesses to provide more permanent employment. The Hon. Diana Mahabir will assume control of the Ministry of Implementation.

A new system of training, re-training and re-introduction of ex- prisoners to the community will be on stream within the next 100 days. The private sector, together with the state will manage “Project New Life” as we seek to re-invigorate the essence and fabric of society. “Project New Life” will come under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education and Skills. This Ministry will also manage the national implementation of the After Schools Programme, the Mentorship Programme and “Volunteer One”, a new component in our education system that will make it mandatory that each student give 40 hours of volunteer time per year to a community or non governmental based organization as approved by the Ministry. This portfolio has been assumed by the Hon. Basdeo Panday.

In these uncertain times, government must stand side by side with those we represent, particularly at the local government level. The delivery of services is crucial to the improvement of the quality of life and it is the priority of this government to ensure that this is done. Consequently, the Honourable Patrick Manning has been appointed Minister of Local Government, Community Development and Social Services.

In the area of trade, this administration hereby serves notice that we are withdrawing Port of Spain’s bid to host the Secretariat of the Free Trade Area of the Americas [FTAA]. Government will now concentrate on its role as facilitator and as such has decided to place emphasis on the creation of the Business Alliance Capital Corporation which will direct government’s investment strategy and guide our policy towards divestment. This initiative will come under the Ministry of Trade and International Affairs, headed by the Honourable Anthony Hosang.

Agriculture will also become a priority for this government. In order to move towards sustainable development and protect ourselves in a volatile global economy, this government will establish a Joint Ministerial Committee to monitor our Flood Eradication Project [involving the Ministries of Works and Food Production]. Farmers on state lands more than five years will be given standard agricultural leases which would give them the ability to access finance for future development. I have instructed Prof. the Honourable John Spence, Minister of Food Production and the Environment to draft an agriculture policy that would sustain our growing needs whilst not damaging the environment or depriving lands for commercial enterprise.

I will from time to time address you on issues of national importance. This government intends to use all the resources at our disposal to ensure that each and every citizen has an equal chance at peace, progress and prosperity. The following names complete my cabinet for the time being, but changes are inevitable as time goes by:

Hon. Kathleen Singh – Finance
Hon. Carla Suite- Public Utilities
Hon. Pennelope Beckles- Culture
Hon. Gail Merhair- Communication
Hon. Dhanayshar Mahabir- National Development
Hon. Dipnarine Maraj- Public Administration
Hon. Ravi Singh- Energy
Hon. Jack Warner- Sport and Youth Affairs

This administration will pay particular attention to the provision of public health care. We will oversee the introduction of a new National Health Insurance Programme, implemented together with the private sector and managed by the Health Finance Group. The provision of health care is of critical importance to my administration. Our citizens deserve the very best, and as such, I have decided to retain the health portfolio as I view its progress as a matter of the utmost priority.

Some of the policies outlined will not find favour with many, but my business is not about popularity, it is about protecting the public interests, doing what is right for the benefit of all. I am not afraid to pay the political price, for it is my intention not to seek a second term as your Prime Minister. My fellow citizens, we don’t have much time, so let’s get to work.

The preceding address was fictitious in nature, at least for now!

Let me know what you thought.