15,000 people marched – 300 lay on the road in front of the Red House with a red ribbon symbolizing blood … 127,000 signed the petition.

Despite allocating 14% of the national budget to the Ministry of National Security, crime poses significant challenges, affecting sectors such as tourism, agriculture, and small businesses. In this Power Conversation on August 30, 2024, Indera Sagewan discusses the complex issues facing Trinidad and Tobago, with a focus on crime and the economy. She suggests exploring international support to complement ongoing local efforts, recognizing the strain that crime places on business costs, operating hours, and industries like entertainment. Indera also highlights the importance of enhancing accountability and developing key performance indicators within the police force to improve resource management. On a regional scale, Indera suggests the potential for greater efficiency within CARICOM and advocates for thoughtful reforms. Shifting to the economy, she emphasizes the need for more job creation to open up opportunities for the younger generation. She also acknowledges the burden of inflation and rising living costs. While some leaders propose planting kitchen gardens to address food prices, Indera points out the associated challenges and costs and proposes that increasing support for farmers could be a more effective strategy. Her overall message emphasizes the importance of structural changes, both locally and regionally, to address these evolving challenges.

Women comprise 60 per cent of the student body at the University of the West Indies (UWI), but they recently appointed four men to executive management roles. This action was stated in a recent news release. Two things concern me: gender equality and the appointment of Robert Riley, who is under public scrutiny for his role at Massy.

The appointment of the four men raises serious concerns about gender balance and representation. Interestingly, two of these men are succeeding women. This marks a shift in leadership and appears to disregard the progress made toward gender equality. The appointed men are Mr. Robert Riley, Professor Derek Chadee, Campus Bursar  Mr. Kevin Kalloo and Pro Vice-Chancellor for the Board of Undergraduate Studies, Professor Canute Thompson. 

What message is UWI sending to its students, particularly the young women who aspire to leadership roles? Why has UWI, under the leadership of a female principal chosen to fill these key positions exclusively with men? One would have thought that she had broken the glass ceiling but she appears to be on a glass cliff.

To my mind, this decision reflects a male-dominated, autocratic approach that dismisses the contributions and potential of women. It perpetuates outdated stereotypes, suggesting that women should be limited to following instructions rather than stepping into leadership. Yet, beyond the walls of UWI St. Augustine, times have changed, and gender equality is no longer just an ideal but an expectation.

When Chancellor Dr. The Most Honourable Dodridge D. Miller appointed Mr. Robert Riley as Chair of the St. Augustine Campus Council for a five-year term, did he fully consider Riley’s track record? Beyond Riley’s role at Massy Holdings, he was also on the Petrotrin Board when the refinery was shut down in 2018. Six years later, this vital national asset remains closed with no clear plan for reopening or sale.

Additionally, Riley’s tenure at Massy Holdings has seen financial difficulties. Massy recently had to make a $175 million provision for bad debt linked to the NiQuan gas-to-liquids project—a venture that serves as yet another example of poor decision-making. These instances raise questions about whether Riley is the best candidate to lead the university council.

These decisions prompt a critical inquiry: is this the kind of leadership UWI wants for its students? Were there no other qualified candidates with a stronger track record and a commitment to inclusive leadership? The choice to exclude women from these senior roles is especially troubling given that women have outnumbered men among UWI graduates for over a decade. This lack of female representation at the executive level seems incompatible with UWI’s historical commitment to equal opportunity and progress.

As a UWI graduate and a former adjunct lecturer for 18 years, I find this development deeply disheartening. A university’s role extends beyond education; it should embody and reflect the values it seeks to instil in society. In an era when gender parity in leadership is widely recognized as essential, UWI’s actions send a conflicting and discouraging message. For UWI to remain relevant, it must align its leadership practices with the principles of equality and inclusion it claims to uphold. Only then can it truly serve as a leader in shaping the future.

It’s concerning that a public hospital would serve a meal as nutritionally poor as Crix crackers and sardines to patients, especially in a country that leads the Caribbean in non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This choice shows a lack of care for patient health, and the fact that the CEO finds this acceptable raises questions about his suitability to lead an institution responsible for promoting wellness and recovery.

Traditionally, a balanced meal is made up of one-third carbohydrates, one-third protein, and one-third vegetables.  I learned this in primary school.

This hospital meal falls short of this basic standard, which is essential for proper healing and overall health. When hospitals—places meant for healing—serve meals with little nutritional value, they not only risk the health of patients but also set a poor example. Patients may leave the hospital thinking that such inadequate meals are acceptable, and some may even adopt these unhealthy habits in their own lives.

On top of this, we import 92% of our food, which shows our heavy reliance on foreign products. By serving imported sardines, the hospital is supporting this unfortunate trend, rather than choosing healthier, locally sourced options. We need leaders who set a strong example by prioritizing nutrition and promoting sustainable practices. Hospitals have an opportunity to lead the way and offer meals that support good health and reflect the values we need as a nation.  Come on, Minister of Health and CEO Davlin Thomas, we must do better, and having been awarded the largest budget allocation this year you have no excuse to move away from Crix and Sardine.

As we grapple with increasing violence and crime, I wonder about the use of alcohol. This thought brought to my mind the late Noor Mohamed Hassanali, who served as the second president of TT from 1987 to 1997. Known for his conservative approach, Hassanali made a conscious decision to prohibit the consumption of alcohol at President’s House during his tenure – a policy that no one ever complained about.

Hassanali’s legacy as a devout Muslim and a leader committed to moral and fiscal responsibility is evident in this stance. During his presidency, state functions at President’s House were alcohol-free. Instead of offering alcoholic beverages, guests were served a refreshing fruit drink made from five-finger, a fruit grown on the grounds of President’s House. While some guests may have quietly grumbled, they ultimately accepted and even enjoyed the alternative.

This decision not only reflected Hassanali’s personal and religious values but also underscored his commitment to leading by example. By eliminating alcohol from official functions, he saved the country significant sums of money – funds that could have been redirected to more pressing needs. In a time when the country is facing economic and social challenges, perhaps this approach deserves reconsideration.

The sight of public officials indulging in alcohol sends mixed messages, particularly to younger generations who are often told to avoid drinking. It raises the question: why should we tell children not to drink alcohol, only to show them adults, especially leaders, celebrating with it? This disconnect between the messages we give to our children and the actions of our leaders is concerning.

In the current climate, where economic belts are tightening and social issues are on the rise, rethinking the role of alcohol in state functions could be a small but meaningful change. Imagine if the money saved from not purchasing alcohol for government events was redirected to help those in need. It would be a symbolic yet powerful statement of prioritizing the well-being of the nation over maintaining certain luxuries.

The transformation of TT will only occur when we start making conscious decisions that reflect the values we want to promote. Removing alcohol from government activities may seem like a small issue, but it could have a significant impact. It represents an opportunity to lead by example, promote fiscal responsibility, and send a clear message that public officials are committed to making a positive difference in society.

If we truly want change, it starts with the small things – like choosing a non-alcoholic toast to celebrate our nation’s milestones.

Kyle, a Trinidad native, is a tech enthusiast passionate about leveraging technology and entrepreneurship to create opportunities in the Caribbean. His journey began at university when he launched a platform allowing students to buy and sell items, earning up to $4,000 monthly from advertising. This sparked his interest in building scalable technology businesses.

Upon returning to Trinidad, Kyle co-founded First, a platform which Digicel invested $2 million however the business didn’t succeed. He views failure as a crucial part of the entrepreneurial journey. Learning from his setbacks, Kyle partnered with a Jamaican co-founder to create TechBeach Retreat, which has since grown into a global brand recognized by Entrepreneur magazine as a top event in Latin America.

TechBeach’s unique retreat-style events, offer a blend of technology discussions and relationship-building. The core focus is on technology’s cross-cutting impact across industries, with recent themes centered on artificial intelligence and the metaverse.

Kyle believes that while the Caribbean isn’t 20 years behind in technology, a significant challenge is the lack of internal competence within organizations and governments. This gap creates a fear of embracing innovation. The absence of an enabling environment stymies the growth of tech companies, limiting their potential to scale.

In addition to its signature events, TechBeach has expanded into education and investment, running accelerator programs to help tech founders learn key business skills. Kyle emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive ecosystem for technology-driven businesses to thrive, combining investor support, talent development, and government backing.

He cites Estonia as a model for digital transformation, where the entire society is digitally savvy, from schoolchildren to the elderly and advocates for a cultural shift in the Caribbean, urging governments and organizations to prioritize technology education.

Looking ahead, Kyle stresses the need to embrace AI quickly and dreams of a future where technology skills are central to education and where the Caribbean can compete globally by leveraging its talent and resources. To achieve this, he believes in aggressive, all-encompassing education reforms, from workshops to full-scale digitization agendas.

Ultimately, Kyle’s vision is for the Caribbean to move beyond its current slow adoption and fully embrace the transformative power of technology.

The recent online discussion hosted by UWI’s Trade and Economics Department has added no clarity to the alarming comment by Economist Marla Dukharan that 25 billion U.S. dollars is missing or unaccounted for. I feel more confused by the fact that Dr. Terrence Farrell ended his participation in the conversation by acknowledging that Marla has identified an important issue regarding data collection and the accuracy of balance of payments reporting in Trinidad and Tobago. He commended her for bringing attention to this critical matter, as accurate and timely data is essential for effective policymaking. He then “pelted a big stone” by saying that her conclusions were somewhat sensational and led to unnecessary speculation. This is despite his earlier article stating “Marla was wrong,” a point he reiterated several times during his presentation.

What popped into my mind is a statement by former US President Harry Truman who said: “Give me a one-handed Economist. All my economists say ‘on ONE hand…’, then ‘but on the other…’”

So, Dr. Farrell is saying Marla’s analysis of the numbers is wrong, but she is right to bring this issue to our attention. Who is the one-handed economist who will explain to Trinidad and Tobago that the “loss” of over $2 billion U.S. dollars per year on average, which makes us rank the highest in the world per capita for this item, is nothing to worry about? Who is the one-handed economist who will explain how and why this issue has persisted since 2011?

Anyone employed by the government who defends it against criticism may not be perceived as fully independent. Dr. Farrell, despite being a former Central Bank Deputy Governor and former government policy advisor, (Chairman, The Economic Development Advisory Board) pointed out that there are issues with how the energy sector reports its data and expressed uncertainty about whether the Ministry of Energy has accurate numbers. This situation reflects potential challenges in policy and governance, particularly in managing the energy sector, which has been operating for over a century. If, after more than 100 years of exporting oil and gas, we still can’t get the numbers right, it raises serious questions about governance and where the responsibility lies.

The issue of large unexplained foreign exchange losses appears to have emerged around 2011, possibly linked to changes in the Balance of Payments methodology. If the adoption of a new Balance of Payments methodology in 2011 was the trigger for the massive unexplained hole of over USD 2 billion a year, a comparison of the methodologies used before and after 2011 might help clarify the discrepancies and explain the “errors and omissions” item in the data.

Will the Minister of Finance explain the foreign exchange gap so that the “person in the Maxi” will understand, or will he be speaking to the 15% of the population who actually have credit cards? Will Dr. Roger Hosein explain that this is not just a statistical irregularity but a significant economic problem that requires immediate and serious attention from the authorities? Or will Dr. Farrell return to the Central Bank and help them raise awareness of the problem and find ways to address it? He said that solving the problem would require cooperation from the business community and may involve leveraging data from commercial banks.

What am I, a person who failed economics, supposed to understand when he said that the USD25 billion in question is not actually missing but has already been spent and consumed when I can only get US$100 from the bank to leave this country? Spent on what and consumed by whom?

My takeaways from this 2-hour online conversation are that our country needs to strengthen the economic data infrastructure, promote transparency, and enhance collaboration between government institutions and the private sector. The “persons in the maxi” must be targeted to understand the state of our economy so that we can feel included in the issues that impact our daily lives.

Mr. Prime Minister, why engage Dr. Terrence Farrell if the recommendations are not considered?

In 2018, Dr. Terrence Farrell resigned as Chairman of the Economic Development Advisory Board (EDAB), reportedly dissatisfied with the lack of progress made under his leadership. His departure signaled frustration with a system that appeared to resist meaningful change. Given this history, it was puzzling to see Dr. Farrell appointed to another committee, this time, focusing on constitutional reform. So, I was not surprised when I read recent headlines suggesting that the government is once again unwilling to embrace key recommendations from the team.

Your administration has dismissed two of the most significant recommendations from the committee, headed by Mr. Barry Sinanan SC and including Dr.Terrence Farrell as a committee member. Those recommendations are fixed election dates and proportional representation for general elections. This raises an important question: Why engage respected thought leaders if there is no intention of seriously considering their proposals?

The recommendation for fixed election dates is not just about predictability; it’s about fairness and transparency. I recall former Prime Minister Manning saying that he had the election date in his back pocket and the wash of objections that were experienced.

Fixed election dates would eliminate the strategic advantage currently held by sitting governments, which can call elections at times most favorable to them. By having a set date, all political parties would be on equal footing, and the electorate could plan and prepare for elections in a more structured manner. This could lead to a more informed and engaged citizenry, enhancing the democratic process. 

Proportional representation is another recommendation that has been rejected. This system aims to create a more accurate reflection of the electorate’s will in the composition of the Parliament. In the current first-past-the-post system, a party can secure a majority of seats without a majority of the popular vote, leading to a skewed representation. Proportional representation would ensure that smaller parties and minority groups have a voice in decision-making, fostering a more inclusive and balanced political environment.

Implementing social change requires more than appointing committees; it requires the political will to act on their recommendations. If the government is not willing to consider proposals like fixed election dates and proportional representation, then one must question the purpose of forming these committees in the first place. True reform requires a commitment to listening to expert advice and making decisions that may not always align with short-term political interests but serve the long-term good of the nation.

If the government continues disregarding the insights of our experts it risks perpetuating the issues these reforms seek to address. The people of Trinidad and Tobago deserve a government that is open to meaningful change, not one that merely pays lip service to the idea of reform.

Dr. Terrence Farrell, a respected economist, disagrees with Marla Dukharan’s claim that billions of US dollars are “missing” from Trinidad and Tobago. Dukharan posted a video stating that over the past 12 years, more than US$25 billion has disappeared from the country, making us the world’s biggest loser of foreign exchange.

Farrell argues that her analysis is flawed because the flow of money in and out of the country is complex. He points out that not all our earnings from oil and gas go through local banks, so they might not be properly accounted for. He also suggests that some of the “missing” money could be due to errors in how transactions are recorded.

Dukharan acknowledges that there may be some mistakes, but she remains concerned about the large amount of money—over US$2 billion each year—that isn’t being properly tracked. She believes it’s crucial to figure out where this money is going and why, so we can develop better policies to protect our economy.

The Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago (CBTT) also weighed in, explaining that some of the confusion stems from errors and incomplete data, such as inaccurate tracking of how much people spend when they travel abroad and the low response rate from companies in their surveys.

But what is the average person supposed to take away from the conflicting perspectives of these two highly intelligent individuals, especially since the Central Bank has not offered much clarity on the issue? If data collection is the root of the problem, what steps are being taken to improve it? How is the CBTT enhancing its ability to track money flows?

Considering the past controversy where a former Central Bank Governor was reportedly fired after releasing the names of companies that purchased one-third of the foreign exchange over three years, one would expect greater efforts to encourage comprehensive data collection and transparency. How is it that the public remains unaware of where large sums of money, particularly from oil and gas exports, are coming from and where they are going? This is yet another sign of the lack of transparency in our financial systems.

If US$2 billion is indeed unaccounted for each year, then an independent audit or investigation should be conducted to uncover more details about these outflows. Understanding where this money is going could help shape better economic policies and safeguard the country’s foreign exchange reserves.

Instead of dismissing Marla Dukharan’s claims as “jackassness,” a responsible leader would have focussed on improving data collection, increasing transparency, and conducting an independent audit to get to the bottom of the issue. What we need are robust systems to enhance our economic policies and protect the country’s foreign exchange reserves.

Minister of Works and Transport Rohan Sinanan, do you know Dr. Emru Millette? You recently said, “Unfortunately, in downtown Port of Spain and the western peninsula, no study was ever commissioned for those areas.” This is not true.

In the early 1980s, Dr. Emru Millette created a detailed drainage plan for Port of Spain. This study, commissioned to understand the city’s drainage and flooding issues, identified key problems with the infrastructure. Despite being paid for, the plan was ignored due to political reasons. Millette’s study showed that proper drainage systems were essential to prevent flooding. Because his recommendations were not followed, the city still faces flood problems today.

Evidence shows that Port of Spain’s drainage issues have existed for decades, even before the climate crisis. Two main sources—the Millette drainage plan and analyses by local engineers—show that poor infrastructure, not just climate change, is a major cause of the city’s frequent flooding.

A 2010 editorial in the Trinidad Guardian reported that Engineer Richard Saunders, then President of the Association of Professional Engineers of Trinidad and Tobago, called the Millette plan “excellent work” that is still relevant today. He noted that the report is updateable for current challenges but its basic insights are still valid. Winston Riley, then President of the Joint Consultative Council, agreed, saying the plan offers a good solution to the city’s drainage problems if updated for modern conditions.

Other engineers have also mentioned the Millette report over the years. They say it provides a strong foundation but needs modern updates to solve current problems.

Minister Sinanan, your claim that no studies have been done to analyze the flooding issues in Port of Spain is worrying. After nine years, if your government has not found these studies, it is time to rethink your approach to these important issues.

While it’s true that climate change is a factor in recent flooding, ignoring the infrastructure issues is a mistake. The Millette drainage plan and expert analyses show that Port of Spain’s flooding problems are deeply rooted in old infrastructure problems. Fixing these issues requires a comprehensive update of past recommendations and modern engineering solutions. Only by using this joint approach can the city effectively manage future flood risks.

Wheel and come again Minister Sinanan.