Corruption did not start with PNM, UNC

THE EDITOR: The calls are aplenty. “Rowley must go,” “Kamla must go,” “Send Jack to the US,” “Get rid of Hinds.” It is as if the reason that TT is in a mess is because of the two major politicians and their members. They just happened to arrive in our country from outer space and getting rid of them would solve all our problems.

We are required to turn a blind eye to the many who somehow have a video and opinion on every police shooting but know nothing and see nothing when criminals shoot up the communities.

We must ignore the fact that to obtain many official approvals and documents like a driver’s licence one may be required to illegally pay someone with contact at the appropriate department.

The reality is that Trinidad and Tobago has been and continues to be a lawless land where PH drivers are common and accepted as normal, where people pay for truck-borne water and where one’s case in court can be thrown out by simply paying the appropriate person.

Corruption is not new and it did not start with the PNM or the UNC. The following is an excerpt from page 109 of a book entitled The Cutlass is Not for Killing, written by Dennis Mahabir and published in the 70s. It speaks of corruption prior to independence:

“'Bobol' is a Trinidad word referring to graft and corruption and to anything which smacks of dubious transactions. The country had witnessed 'bobol' over the years.

"The Caura Dam project had made a millionaire of an English plumber, who became an engineer overnight in Trinidad. The Mucurapo lots deal was the subject of investigation when some councillors were found to have been involved in foul practices.

"Top police officers were dismissed following an investigation into a gun racket. A magistrate was known to be taking bribes. A county councillor was involved in the gas station racket.

"The Teachers' Society was investigated for selling jobs. Small contractors got rich overnight, and civil servants earning $300 a month drove Pontiacs costing $8,000.

"One truck owner delivering gravel for a government project was known to have driven the same truck ten times in one day to the checker and to have received pay for ten loads. Hospital beds were sold, and to get into the Civil Service without qualifications meant paying.”

Based on the excerpt one can conclude that corruption and poor management have been with us before PNM leader Rowley and UNC leader Persad-Bissessar. If we are to seek real change a transformation is necessary. That must begin with a commitment from every citizen to see faces and not races, to do the right thing even when it costs a bit more or can be a bit of an inconvenience.

It calls for love of country, love of family, love of community and love of self. With hope we can rebuild.

STEVE ALVAREZ

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