The New York and Canada-based family of Dr Sylvia Moodie-Kublalsingh would like to express our full support for her call for reason to prevail in the matter of Wayne Kublalsingh's hunger strike.
Like good governance in general, good environmental governance is rapidly becoming a key characteristic of First World countries. Sustainable development requires us all to care for our environment and preserve it for future generations even as we seek to advance our economic and social goals.
When a man has to starve himself to near-death to get the Government to do what today is considered a matter of course (that is, to consider all possible adverse environmental and social aspects of any development project,) how can a country be considered anywhere near developed (a stated aspiration of T&T)?And when he feels forced to do it a second time around because the outcome of the first hunger strike has been ignored, that is another step backward. What does this, plus the lack of concern of the government, show about a country's values? These matters should not always have to be settled in the courts. Law has its place but good planning demands forward thinking.
A smart forward-looking government would not be so concerned about what's in or not in the courts but rather would sit down with Dr Kublalsingh in the spirit of compromise and modern thinking, and work out a deal that is appropriate to all as soon as possible. Meanwhile, we express our support.
The Braveboy(-Wagners),
New York and Canada