Last night we created political history, an office was opened dedicated to representation of the people, not by elected representatives being paid so to do, but by activists and concerned citizens committed to demonstrating how government of, by and for the people is really supposed to work. Now Diego Martins West, Central and North East have competing political movements with feet on the ground dedicated to serving in ways that would expose the shortcomings of the last twenty five years of absentee landlordism that have been the trademark of what people have come to know in these constituencies. The event itself was scheduled to run for no more than two hours, yet four hours later Ministers, political leaders and constituents were still milling about, laughing and shooting the breeze, sharing ideas, and discussing ways by which the constituency and the country by extension could be made better. Last night government was brought closer to the people, democracy was deepened, and it may well herald the beginning of the most exciting political transformation that we have ever had. Having been honoured with the role of care-giver of Diego Martin West i am thrilled and excited for the opportunity and recognise the responsibility that comes with the honour, and pledge to do my best to ensure that people power transforms business as usual into every creed and race finding an equal place in Trinidad & Tobago. I would like also to use the opportunity to thank FatherHarold Imamshah who responded on short notice to our request to bless the facilities, and who moved the room in his brief but empowering sermon encapsulated in his final statement - We are called to be leaders who serve, and servants who lead. Indeed. Many other people deserve much thanks for the culmination of all that good effort, and special mention must be made of Ron Jemmott, Joey Correia, Nigel Chaves, Rennie Mohammed, Lorraine Pouchet and her remarkable team and many others. We were treated to the fire and spice that is Nicole Dyer as our host and Chairperson of the nights proceedings, as well as the rousing report of the Political Leader of the Congress of the People, the Honorable Prakash Ramadhar. Chairman of the COP Ms. Carolyn Seepersad Bachan graced us all by her presence, and Minister of Arts & Multicultuarlism Lincoln Douglas admonished us to put the past behind us and move forward with love. Phillip Murray aka Black Sage crooned Ah went away, ah leave and ah come back home... which epitomised the mood for many of us. Even Diego Martin organiser Richard Grainger took time at the podium, recognising the presence of founding member and three time Diego Martin candidate Rocky Garcia among others, and using his brief opportunity to call everyone back home to the Congress of the People. This was not so much a rebirth as a political revival, and the challenge now as it has always been for us who hope to take the politics higher, to see if the people with good intentions outnumber those with bad. Monday coming we begin our first real day in office and will be announcing the first in a series of Meet the Minister Wednesdays that would become synonymous with this facility, the opportunity for every day folk to speak truth to power, one on one in a relaxed setting. Exciting times lay ahead as there was already the announcement of a similar facility being built in Arima, and I for my part and excited for the challenges and successes that are sure to lie ahead. For all who contributed by their effort or attendance we say thank you. Special note has to be made of the attendance by the family of the late Diego Martin icon and music industry pioneer George Ng Wai, who still found time to drop by after honouring the one year anniversary of his passing. Having them there felt as if George himself was present, smiling that trademark smile and proud of what we were doing. Of course there will be bumps in the road. What good effort goes on without them, but if this launch is anything to judge the future by, i would say we are in good hands. We go forward from here...
Posted on: Thu, 11 Sep 2014 10:28:24 +0000
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