Being technologically agile is a sure way to solve many national problems. United States of America is a good example of that.
It has reduced/removed its dependency on oil from the Middle East by the developing and implementing of fracturing technology for oil production.
In dealing with the threat of terrorism, the technology-based systems, at immigration for identification and body scanning at security check-in, are also good examples. These illustrate how technology, if properly implemented, can solve many the problems or issues facing society.
In all areas of endeavour, both in the private and public sectors, properly planned and judicious application of technology are necessary if we are to develop as a society and have our aspirations fulfilled. We must ask ourselves the following hard question.
Why are not as economically advanced as we should or could be? This assumes even greater significance when one considers our natural and human resources.
Many commentators have and will continue, validly so, to harp on the political and social issues. The intent here is to focus on technological ones. These, of course, also impact on governance and social aspects of the country.
It is the very firm view of this columnist that, as a society, we are yet to understand and appreciative the impact that science and technology can have on the sustained wellbeing and prosperity of a nation. Some might ascribe this to our colonial heritage, plantation culture and the lack of a popular culture of science and technology. This manifests itself, one might infer, in a sort of technological timidity or recalcitrance when it comes to supporting, funding and developing technology.
So, while all regimes have supported and funded technology training and education, there has not been a corresponding sustained effort on funding Research and Development. Sure there are state-run research institutions but when one evaluates their outcome and impact, the realisation quickly dawns that several are really organisation shells. Or their impact is reported in invisible ink.
The problem is exacerbated by the five-year election cycle. Ancient societies, which were generally agrarian-based, depended on the seasonal rains to nourish their crops and hence their survival and or wellbeing.
Irrigation technologies were conceptualised, developed and built/implemented to free them from and or reduce their dependence on the weather cycles. Science and technology growth and development, likewise, must be freed from regime change cycles, for the S&T is a long-term investment and must be continuously nourished. Continuity is absolutely necessary for the investments in S&T to be realised. It is no different from any long term financial investment. T&T, for the foreseeable future will be, mainly, an importer of technology. Thus some emphasis must be placed on the adaptation and integration of existing, new and emerging technologies. Part of this effort must clearly be on the implementation of the pre-requisite legislative framework.
Electronic tracking, for keeping tabs on the movements of career criminals, is a well-established technology. Why has it not been implemented here when there many, with several charges pending, roaming the streets to continue their nefarious activities?
The use of cameras to record and prosecute drivers who disregard traffic signals is again a fairly standard technology in many countries. These are but two simple examples of areas in which technology is utilised to assist in law and order.
The arrival of big data technology presents significant business potential as does the formalising of the Internet of things. In fact, in the not too distant future, ICT technologies will be the platform upon which governance, business, commerce, entertainment etc, will be based. The leveraging of technology, inclusive of but not restricted to ICT, will be necessary if we are not to be left behind on the road to progress and development.