Now that there is a problem with foreign exchange, we certainly need to be innovative, creative and allow more common sense to prevail. Indeed, it is time that we start addressing the weaknesses in our society.
As the imperatives of diversification looms before us, I suggest that we turn to the Western Peninsula as a platform for generating foreign exchange. However, in doing this, it is critical that we do not fall victim to leakages in our new income streams–brought about by our historical propensity for foreign goods and services.
As I suggested above, the Western Peninsula, with its vast space and quality land, can lend itself to the production of agricultural and a variety of consumer products. Who knows, it may well turn out to be our Silicon Valley.
The problems, however, that we have to overcome are how to slay our dragons of low production quality, efficiency, productivity and poor work ethics.
Another critical problem to address will be the repairing (not in the usual piece-meal fashion with the traditional shoddy workmanship inflicted on the area) of the present Western Main Road that leads to Chaguaramas. It may even be necessary to consider brainstorming alternative routes or even the widening of this road (clearly, this cannot be easy).
In spite of the emergence of different governments, the road between Cocorite and Chaguaramas has been a sign of disrespect to people living and working along and around its path. No wonder, residents and workers have had difficulty in displaying the pride and energy required of people who look forward to new frontiers of development.
As citizens, we need to be proud of our country. If we are not, many man hours can be lost, much frustrations and stress released as a result of the complications experienced from the traffic congestion and the many pot holes which are associated with this road of shame.
Unless all of the above issues are addressed, we who live and work in the West will find ourselves stifled by great discontent. If citizens and workers are disgruntled, how would we succeed by way of diversification to attract more tourism and other forms of foreign exchange to our shores?
Finally, it is time for our prime minister and MP for the area to end his honeymoon and to start paying attention to his constituency and not allow the ex-prime minister to come out smelling like a rose as a result of the lack of development in his constituency.
Theresa S Wickham,
Carenage