Floods remind us we are in this together

THE EDITOR: Almost every continent in the world experienced severe floods this year. Developed cities like Miami and Paris had extraordinary levels of flooding. Spain, Texas, Ireland, India and Barbados all made international news with regard to the flood in those areas.

In TT, flooding is relegated to news of who visited the flooded areas and who did not. Why are we not seeking solutions to what is a growing global phenomenon?

Ever wondered why east Port of Spain does not flood as much as the western sector? Could it be that years ago under British governance the managers of the city built a waterway commonly know as the East Dry River which is over 20 feet wide and 20 feet deep to absorb the heavy run-off when there are heavy rains? This river is dry most of the year, hence the name.

Should we not have constructed similar waterways in flood-prone areas rather than spending millions on box drains that are incapable of handling the heavy rain? Is anyone observing that many of the areas under flood, like Poui Trace that links Moruga road to Barrackpore, have newly constructed box drains that are ineffective?

The time has come for some introspection. We cannot continue to delude ourselves. We are either a people so blinded by political loyalty that we have lost sight of what is best for our nation or a people seeking to make TT a better place.

We are either a people divided along ethnic lines with such innate hatred for those who appear different from us that we are unable to see God in all people or a people willing to unite in finding solutions to the challenges that face our nation.

We are either a people doomed to continue voting along racial lines with large communities deemed safe seats or a people willing to reject organisations that have used our country’s wealth and goodwill for personal gain.

Are we waiting until our nation is destroyed by the few bandits, few corrupt, few incompetent, few divisive people who are preventing much of our law-abiding, tax-paying, family-caring, God-fearing, wonderful people of this country from realising our full potential? Can we unite and move on together as one people, one nation? I am an optimist.

Like the great Bob Marley, I remember when we used to sit in the yard in Moruga, observing the hypocrites as they mingle with the good people we meet. Good friends we had, good friends we’ve lost along the way. In this great future, you can’t forget your past, so dry your tears, TT. Don’t shed no tears.

I remember when we would cook a meal and share with each other, when our feet were our only carriage. So, we got to push on through and remember that if we do this together everything is going to be all right. No TT, don’t cry.

STEVE ALVAREZ via e-mail