I have thus far kept my silence on the issue of Dr Wayne Kublalsingh and the highway re-route matter. I have done so not because I am any less passionate than many who see fit to espouse their views of this matter but perhaps I am in fact more passionate on the issue than many.
You see I have known Wayne for most of my life and attended Naparima College with him where we shared a friendship over many years until my departure from these shores years ago. I have followed the history of his activism against smelters, the Essar Steel Plant and recall Wayne's active involvement in 2005, in a tidal movement of community activism in the south west peninsula. It was launched by ordinary citizens against what was then known as the Master Gas Plan for the south west peninsula.
The movement defeated this plan. It defeated in a loud, dramatic and public manner, two, possibly three smelters, a steel mill, three industrial estates, a chemical plant and industrial port stretching from Cedros and Chatham in the South to Claxton Bay and Pt Lisas in Central.
What was the logic of this movement? It was saying if you come to take our communities, our mangrove, our coastline, our aquifer, our forests, our lagoon, our mountains, our homes, schools, businesses, our health, our soil, you may do so. You may do so because you are the government. But government or no government, you must justify it. You must abide by the fundamental principles of economics. What is your reason? What are the costs? What are the benefits? Consult.
Like Pontius Pilate I find no fault with this man or his principles. What then are the reasons for an entire article written by a former politician who has played time and time again on both sides of the political field and whose motivation seems to be to distract from the significance of the issue that Wayne and the HRM stand for? Why selectively quote from the detractors whose arguments are not without error themselves?
Your wonder, Sir, at a man having gone without food and water for three weeks having remained "strong enough to endure the circuitous journey to Maracas to face its thunderous waves" is based on a factual error. Wayne did not in fact endure this journey successfully, as you claim as from family report which I see you ignored.
He never got out of the car but instead slipped into unconsciousness whilst wrapped in blankets in the back seat, upon arriving at Maracas. He did not "collapse" as you state. From what I understand, Wayne sought a sea bath, against the advice of many, as a means of fighting dehydration having done this during his first hunger strike.
Was the vigil planned as you imply? Well, I visited Wayne very coincidentally for the first time on Friday last. Wayne indicated, for the first time I am told, to a few persons sitting there that he did not feel that he would get past the weekend and was unsure of his presence on the site on Monday. Attempts were then made to have him agree to accept IV which he refused. It is after this statement was relayed to others, that plans for a vigil took place late on Friday evening.
It was planned at the Nelson Mandela Park for symbolic and practical reasons given the state of Wayne's health. It was therefore no unusual coincidence as you imply, nor part of any strategy, as we all knew that Wayne could be hospitalised if he survived over the weekend. Would it have made a difference if he had slipped into unconsciousness on Friday night? He, by the way, was no part of these plans.
Who are the persons you claim have "publicly avowed to bring down the Government" who stand in support of Dr Kublalsingh? The 40 NGO groups now calling for mediation? The T&T Transparency Institute now demanding that the Government explain its position on the Armstrong report?
The Archibishop of the RC church? The Bishop of the Anglican church? The Reverend Elahie of the Presbyterian church? Peter Minshall? Father Harvey? The swing voters who will decide the outcome of the next election?
Further, since you believed absolutely in the integrity of Wayne's first hunger strike, are you aware that Wayne's medical report of one Dr Jose showed absolutely no visible signs of damage to his organs? Could you explain this, Sir? Do you need to see the report so that you may not doubt? The doctor who was not " baffled" said to many, "People do not understand the power of the soul." Do you still doubt?
May none of us be part of a doubting public that assists in crucifying this good man even as he attempts to carry the cross for all of us.
Dr Terrence Soodeen
Via e-mail