I prepared A Speech To UWI students as if I am a candidate running for election to become the Prime Minister of my country Trinidad and Tobago.
Pleasant good evening to each one of you all today, I will like to mention to the ladies and gentlemen of the audience to dream big, never let failure get the best of you, when you fail, you learn from your mistakes to do better. In everything that you do include GOD into it, whatever it maybe. I spoke last month at Diego Martin West and I told the attendees keep your bedroom slippers underneath your bed, they said, “Why?” I replied, “Each morning as you grab your bedroom slippers from underneath your bed, you have to kneel down and when that happens you say your prayers to the ‘Almighty Creator’ for daily blessings and mercy. The idea is to never allow a day to pass that you will forget to pray to GOD, each day while you are on this earthly life. Moreover I will like to address the current crime situation that is presently affecting our country negatively. I sincerely do care for my beloved nation and speaking on this platform, my utmost concern is the youths of today, which will be the leaders of tomorrow. My strategic plan is to strengthen the sports sector, the so called “hot spot areas”. In addition I will love to initiate the hiring of professional coaches globally, whom can give a better sense of direction as to the aspirations of the talented youths of today.
Furthermore for the young entrepreneurs I will love to invest in many seminars where young adults can attend at no-cost ,where they can obtain the inspiration and acquire the necessary tools to become an entrepreneur. With the guidance of leaders and parents, I see Trinidad and Tobago being a bright and prosperous country moving forward.
My mind is thinking on a broader scope. I envision a country with full potential and growth in years to come. I want to show my country that I care about the people of my nation, the same way as I care for my household . My theme for today is “love thy neighbor as you will love thyself. “ In life I have learnt throughout my career to be humble and to remain humble.
In my journey I never once forgot to lift a helping hand in time of need to a brother or sister, as I climbed that success ladder, so I say to everyone today I stand firmly by my words, that I will never forget you all in time of any assistance desired. On the other hand the vast rise in ‘crime’ in our twin island I will like to address the necessary measures that I am going to put into action when I do become the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago. I am going to introduce ‘the no bail policy’ where whosoever be in possession of a illegal firearm and when approached by the relevant authorities there is not any license to support the weapon, you will be jailed for a period of two years.
To date statistics shows that 80% of the killings are with fire-arms. The fight against crime seems like a never ending story, however I will like to ensure you ladies and gentlemen that granted the power I will make our twin island a happy place once again full of laughter and family love. Unfortunately there are too much illegal guns on the streets killing most of our younger generation of citizens. Mostly men of the age 16 to 35 are the intended targets and I intend to put a stop to that. Why will you have a gun in your possession? my answer to that question, “A illegal firearm holder has no good intention in carrying around a weapon of that sort, either you want to thief or injure someone, citizens of Trinidad and Tobago I urge you, if you will like to receive protection, available is the toll free number 999,subsequently the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service contact.
Furthermore I intend to provide much more vessels for the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard to be able to perform their duty more effectively and efficiently out at the sea.The reason for the purchasing of the vessels as a result the illegal items are coming in our country by boats. My aim is to invest largely into fighting crime, upon being successful we will transition as a nation in developing our beaches, cities and our rain forest boosting the economy to become a strong tourism competitor to other Caribbean countries. Please note that with crime being at a high, potential investors will not want to invest in our economy and that can eventually result in a decline in our economy.
On the other hand residing in the labelled stigma environment Beetham gardens, it was not an easy task. My Dad had left my Mom and my older brother when I was eight years old. My mom was always a strong and independent woman with a lot of ambition, “Love you Mama!” Yes I can see her in the audience as I speak cheering me. Growing up without the presence of a father figure in our household was very hard to endure. I never accepted the challenge of being on the streets at night. I rather would pre-occupy my time by reading a book or doing my homework. My mom numerously asked me, “Son what you want to be when you grow up “I would reply, “Mom I will like to be the Prime Minister of our country. She then goes on to say, “Why?” I would reply, “Mom I will like to help people.”I honestly did not believe she wanted that answer I constantly gave her, furthermore she would keep on asking the same question constantly.
What I really wanted to say to her is that growing up as a child when I watch each household in my community I that realized most of my neighbours, either did not have a father figure or a caring mother at their sides. Those households were forced to live a life of crime, as gang leaders will fuel them with financial gain to do their dirty work for them. The community viewed those guys as idols since they are the individuals that are supplying you with your needs and wants. The stigma of my area was a very bad one.
We were not getting any assistance from anyone, people did not want to step foot in Beetham gardens, due to the bad incidents they heard happened in the area in the past. However they never once taught that I can stand in front a platform to speak to my beloved nation and inform and display a level of professionalism that there is and are good people that came out of Beetham gardens. Don’t matter where you come from, we all bleed the same colour, red and we all have hearts that fuels the pumping of energy in our system to make a difference for the people for Trinidad and Tobago, that what should be remembered.
Moreover, I can only speak on what I will implement in our nation, I have no time in elaborating what the present government have or have not done, my attention is to formulate my master plan to be effectively executed to the country as one, as a result I had a dream and I want my dream to turn into reality. Candidates who are running for election always like to highlight the things that the current government are not doing, which to me is wrong. I am elaborating on my vision I have for a better nation, for me reflecting on the past will never make yourself or a country go forward. It is always what should have been done, rather than let’s get this done.
I strongly believe past governments, that was their major issue. They reflect so much on the negativity with past leaders, that nothing positive can come after, is like you tell yourself that you are going to fail your exams, that you deprive yourself of the opportunity and you turn out to actually fail your exams. Life is a learning lesson, the people of Trinidad and Tobago always remember when you want to change anything in life whether it be for example, a abusive marriage, to quit smoking, the day you tell yourself you are going to stop, should be the day that you actual stop, otherwise you will just be in a dilemma of disappointment.
The people of Trinidad and Tobago have the power to vote a Prime Minister and when this person is elected in power the people have the numbers to protest if they deemed any implementation by the government is unsatisfactory to the citizens of the nation. In December month 2018,in France there were a protest on the government wanting to hike up fuel prices which was to be implemented on January 1st,2019,more than thirty 36,000 protesters geared in high-visibility yellow vest, those are vests that drivers supposed to kept in their vehicles for safety reasons. The end result was the immediate suspension of the hike in fuel prices. The protesters rioted, setting buildings on fire and vandalizing statues, the government had no choice but to remain at the initial price for fuel. This was a simple statistic to show you the people have and your rights are most important.
I highly emphasize who don’t know their rights in this audience today, please do so. We have at our disposal ttconnect.gov.tt which any member of the public can access the complete laws of Trinidad and Tobago on the internet, the best part it is free, if you do not have the necessary funds to pay a Digicel or B-mobile internet bill, you have the support of Rituals,Starbucks,etc. to assist you with internet coverage.Inaddition if you are in the Port of Spain area you can visit any divisions of the Ministry of Legal affairs and they will gladly sit with you in comfort and privacy guiding you on the laws of Trinidad and Tobago.
We may complain about provision of housing, however in United States, homes are very costly and the amount of money you pay for one, the housing space is much smaller than in our twin island when you calculate the currency conversion. Lastly in United States the richest man can become one of the poorest man quickly, If fails to pay his/her tax, we watched many times on television our favorite artistes or actors becomes bankrupt of non-payment of their taxes,on the other hand in Trinidad and Tobago we live without that fear of becoming unstable if you were initially was wealthy.Our tax percentage is at a minimum, so ladies and gentleman let give thanks and praise despite what is happening in our country, a round of applause for appreciating the goodness of what our country still has to offer.
In my closing, I will like everyone for taking the time to listen to my presentation, coming out in their various numbers to support my campaign for running up as Prime Minister of our country and also for the folks who will believe in me, that I am the best candidate for the honorable position, thank you all once again!
