Lee Sing to politicians: Get your act together

Port-of-Spain mayor Louis Lee Sing has called on the nation’s politcians to get their priorities in order.

Speaking at a memorial function marking the 65th anniversary of the death of India's nationalist leader, Mahatma Gandhi, at  Kew Place, Port-of-Spain, on Wednesday, Lee Sing said: “Each time I come to the microphone I plan to say something that is meaningful, something that would allow people to think, something that would encourage growth and development within the city. 

“The oath might have been the same taken by many politicians who stalk this land … It is my sincerest wish that all politicians would become anchored in an understanding and appreciation that things that matter most cannot be at the expense of things that matter least.”

He said he hoped politicians would take a minute or two each day to reflect on the life and times of people like Gandhi and learn of what can be achieved if one followed such a path. 

Lee Sing, who is set to end his three-year run as Port-of-Spain's mayor in May, said there were many historical examples of politicians who moved their country forward. 

He said problems experienced by Indian High Commissioner Maly Mishra—who has been criticised recently for his comments on T&T—were similar to his own experience. He referred to the defunct traffic plan implemented from July to August last year.  Lee Sing said had the traffic plan been left in place, it would have taken him one minute to get from Gatacre Street to the event,  a few blocks away, instead of 15 minutes. 

Lee Sing questioned the problems faced in the country, saying if young men were not killing each other in Laventille, then politicians in Parliament were killing the people. He said he believed he gave the city “a good three years”.