President: 'Job for us' in 2019

President Paula-Mae Weekes.
President Paula-Mae Weekes.

PRESIDENT Paula-Mae Weekes declared that addressing TT's ills in 2019 is "a job for us" and not a a job for "them."

The President made this declaration in her first New Year's Day message to the nation. Weekes was appointed President on March 19.

She identified the "them" as the politicians, the government, the police, the teachers and the church. The President said "us" includes "each and every one, from the greatest to the least," telling citizens, "In our everyday dealings, with a little bit of effort we can all be civil, law-abiding, temperate, reliable and honest in our own little corner." She said all citizens must do their part "even as we expect and demand that the powers-that-be do theirs."

As she reflected on the events of 2018, the President said last year "brought its fair share of challenges, failures, and sorrows."

Homicides, for instance, "threatened to surpass our record high and we mourned the loss of several treasured sons of the soil."

Weekes said 2018 saw job losses and environmental catastrophe destroy livelihoods and peace of mind.

But, she went on, "The experiences of the past 12 months, although sobering, should not discourage us from expecting, hoping and working towards prosperity, peace and security in 2019 and beyond."

Weekes said the country has been in this place before. "Perhaps by a serendipitous confluence of circumstances, but individual and collective will, commitment, hard work and consistency

can bring us to this erstwhile state of affairs," she opined.

The President told citizens, "The triumphs of our past must provide signposts to our future."

Weekes said the country stands at the crossroads and citizens are looking "to see where the good way lies," addingd, "This annual juncture affords all citizens the opportunity to reflect on past actions, attitudes and perspectives in order to identify areas that need to be refined or adjusted."

Weekes reiterated that 2019 must be a year when people's gaze must be "fixed firmly on the road ahead in full anticipation of what can be achieved if every one of us steps up to the plate."

Last year, she pointed out, was also filled with "successes, joys and myriad examples of the human capacity for goodness." She said this was highlighted by the accomplishments of TT's athletes, the "ostensible turnaround of our nation’s economy" and the kindness of good Samaritans.

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"President: ‘Job for us’ in 2019"

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