Like so many concerned citizens, I am forced to once again direct attention to, and request meaningful action from the authorities in eliminating the nuisance being experienced by citizens through the fireworks menace. Indeed, I venture to suggest that, if the powers that be are unable to protect citizens from this act of relatively simple lawlessness, they are not fit to be placed in a position of trust by the citizenry.
The ill-effects of the uncontrolled use of fireworks, on whatever the occasion, are well documented. Now we are hearing that the setting off of fireworks could very well have been responsible for the loss, by fire, of at least one dwelling house a few days ago.
In any event, it is clear that the nuisance value to citizens, especially those like me who have a hearing disability, and to pets, (dogs in particular), far outweighs any frolic which the perpetrators are thought to enjoy.
Further, the short-term employment created by the few sellers and the profit experienced by importers of these devices, are but pie in the sky. Indeed, from an economic point of view, they do nothing but reduce our already falling residue of foreign exchange.
As far as I am aware the law at present allows the setting off of these devices in non-residential areas. This is nothing but a fiction given the height at which they are made to travel thus making this stipulation non-functional.
Furthermore, the residential requirement is not only being ignored, but also the law provides no time limit for their being set off, as was evident in my own neighbourhood where it has continued into a second day/night.
Certainly, the remedy (if the authorities are serious), lies in the complete banning of imports of these devices, except for use by bodies such as the Defence Force and, even this, for use on approved specified occasions.
Errol O C Cupid,
Trincity, Tacarigua