OPEN LETTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER & OPPOSITION LEADER

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE NEWLY ELECTED PRIME MINISTER HON, KAMLA PERSAD-BISSESSAR AND THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION MRS. PENELOPE BECKLES

By B. Hazel Smith, M. Div

As a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago for more than 79 years, as a theologian and as a woman who abhor injustices and promote equality - I feel compelled to respond to the media expressions made by our new Leader of the PNM Mrs. Penelope Beckles and our new Prime Minister Mrs. Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

Firstly, Mrs. Beckles article in the Guardian advised her MPs that when they meet with their constituents, they must “At least give the impression that you are listening because sometimes people just need to feel that you are listening.” We all know that to give an impression is to lie and this should never be part of anyone’s job description.

In her tenure as housing minister many persons I know sought help to upgrade the quality of their lives to no avail, giving credence to her comments of ‘give the impression’ - in other words, these actions are nothing but political puffery.

Her advice to her MP’s should be that they must; should not be disrespectful, insulting, condescending and arrogant, this must change as is evidence by the public response by a low voter turnout.

As we all know almighty God is the power that has bestowed upon, the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago recourses of oil, asphalt and gas that is translated into the financial wealth that must be distributed for all citizens through the government elected by the people. Thus, people who avail themselves to serve in governments must do so honestly and with respect for all.

Your reputation is not necessarily your character - and even as Dr. Keith Christopher Rowley the outgoing Prime Minister has been labeled as uncaring and harsh, upon consultation with the community as the Minister of Housing, constructed the Clifton towers in POS South, a gated, rent to own community with great promises of a better life for citizens of East POS. He introduced the rent to own system so that the hardworking ordinary person could be part of the acquisition of property which promoted hope for all the so called poor and indigent citizens of Trinidad and Tobago. I know that God will continue to bless him and his family as he continues to put Trinidad and Tobago first.

We have all heard our new Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar sharing her pledge and advocacy to promote equality for all citizens of T and T. I believe her vision is a sincere application and good for our country.

However, I am reminded that in her previous governance her MP Moonilal immediately removed the rent to own privileges for the citizens in The Clifton Towers and Oropune Gardens. He made them sign a document to the effect. This removal was followed by sudden gang activity and lawlessness in both areas, they claimed people was not paying rent this reason confused many residents who paid their rents and who express concerns as to why the administration that did not engage the HDC legal system to address the issue of neutral payment.

To correct this atrocity, I am asking our new Prime Minister in her wisdom and her MPs of housing to restore the rent to own privileges for the people of Clifton Towers and Oropune Gardens, plus extending those privileges of rent to own and ownership to residents who have been paying for rents in HDC development for 20 years and more.

The process must include, a legal deed, the value of each apartment, repair prior to the transfer of property and all legal documentation related to the property. I speak to Port of Spain South and environs areas like Charford Courts, Mangorose, Bath Gap, Duncan Street, Nelson Street, George Street, St Joseph Road, Block 8 Beverly Hills, HDC in Belmont, HDC in St James, HDC in Laventille Morvant but I imagine there are many others.

The truth is Madame Prime Minister, our generations have been paying rents without owning anything it could be considered legal robbery we ask this request be viewed similar to the privileges of Land squatters who occupy land without not slotted to them, pay no rent but legally acquire the lands after sixteen (16) years of occupation without any conflict or payment.

I look forward to your governance and service of equality. Whether opposition or supporters of the Coalitions of Interest, the main focus should be the 'Coalition of Trinbagonians'.

Like the promises of Almighty God, life and death must be experienced by all human beings regardless of the power they have out lies earth.

May God continue to love and guide us in Trinidad and Tobago.

B. Hazel Smith, M. Div
Social Justice activist
58 E Duncan Street, Port of Spain
(868)736-9871