Focus on major issues in 2019

THE EDITOR: In everything we do prioritising is essential if we are going to progress. While, at any given time, we all can have several matters to deal with it is important that we evaluate which is more crucial at the moment. The very same concept works in even running a country. As we fast approach 2019 it is necessary that our politicians do exactly that, see what is needed in the country most and put it on the table with urgency for the new year.

In my humble opinion there are much more relevant issues that need to be address than the decriminalisation of marijuana. Permit me the luxury just to bring them back to our attention. We have a growing unemployment problem, at the end of the last quarter of 2018 thousands became unemployed at Petrotrin, five hundred plus at TSTT and many in the private sector have lost their jobs. Then we have a yearly flooding headache where thousands are affected losing everything with no solution to the problem and I can go on, crime, abuse of our women and children, guns and drugs plaguing our street, bed shortage and long wait for basic surgery at hospitals.

Leaders we need answers for these things in 2019. These are the issues impacting seriously on citizenry in TT. The marijuana decriminalisation, in all due respect, is not going to feed our children, create jobs, stop serious crime, re-vamp the economy, stop the flooding or bring down abuse of women and children. We need to focus on those major issues and come up with solution if we are going to move forward in 2019 as a nation. I believe it is the wisest thing to do at this present moment of our nation's history “people matter” and must always come first. Please prioritise for 2019.

Arnold Gopeesingh, San Juan