Many individual citizens, public and private sector organisations, NGOs and other interest groups from all corners of Trinidad and Tobago have been calling on Government, for a long time now, to act to implement appropriate legislation to safeguard the population from the adverse effect of fireworks. Progress toward implementing improved legislation or even enforcement of existing laws to protect the citizens has met with little success.
Let’s get serious. This is not a difficult task yet the Government refuses to act responsibly. Failure to protect the compassionate law-abiding citizens motivates inhumane behaviour amongst the less civil. The consequence of this leads to total disregard for law and order and a less safe Trinidad and Tobago.
These behaviour patterns have inflicted harm to humans and animals alike and are now directly responsible for the recent poisoning of cats at the Caroni Swamp Reserve and the death of a kangaroo at the Emperor Valley Zoo. A kangaroo, dead from the shock and trauma suffered from fireworks while supposedly being protected in a safe sanctuary. The Government or CoP, having issued a permit for the discharge of the fireworks at this location, is ultimately responsible.
In June of 2018, the Joint Select Committee on the adverse effects of fireworks submitted its recommendations to both Houses of Parliament. The report was thorough and included many worthwhile recommendations that could protect the citizens and animals of this nation, yet those recommendations have not been implemented. What was the purpose of the work of this Joint Select Committee?
Simple amendments can take fireworks out of the hands of Joe Public, move the discharge of fireworks offshore and legislate the days and times which fireworks may be discharged. This could permit for the safe discharge of fireworks on truly celebratory occasions as intended.
In the interim, private sector programmes designed to benefit the nation are being compromised and cannot be sustained without legislative action to manage the issue of fireworks. We again call on the Government to act immediately to enact meaningful legislation and to implement the recommendations as contained in the Fifth Report of the Joint Select Committee on Social Services and Public Administration on the adverse effects of fireworks.
Roger Marshall,
via email