Trinidad and Tobago celebrating 50 years of independence

In the year 1962, Trinidad and Tobago and Uganda attained independent status from the United Kingdom, on 31st August and 9th October, respectively.

Eric Eustace Williams of Trinidad and Tobago and Apollo Milton Obote of Uganda led the independence movements. So, it is with special sentiments of common history, if not destiny, that) fi rst of all, I extend congratulations to the people of Uganda, in the year of their golden jubilee of Independence and send greetings, as well, to compatriots and well-wishers of Trinidad and Tobago in Uganda, as both our countries celebrate.

In October 1973, diplomatic relations between our two countries were established and sincethen, we have had close collaboration in international fora such as the United Nations and its subsidiary bodies, the Commonwealth, the Non-aligned Movement and the G77.

Within recent times, we have sought to improve bilateral relations and, not long ago, a delegation of businessmen from Trinidad and Tobago visited Uganda, in pursuit of the development of trade between our countries. The relatively recent discovery of oil and gas and the prospects of their impact on Uganda’s economy are great.

Trinidad and Tobago has much to share by way of its own considerable experience of over one hundred years, in the energy sector, starting with oil, a sector which continues to be the mainstay of our economy, even as we pursue our efforts to diversify.

We have moved from fl aring gas to be the fi rst country to monetize that precious resource, which has added signifi cantly to our revenues. But we are well aware that hope for a country’s sustainable development cannot rest purely on diminishing natural resources.

We therefore see the need for guiding our people in the direction of innovation and entrepreneurship as a way of opening up other avenues for development. In this context, a major element towards this objective is one of the most signifi cant achievements in our fi fty years of Independence.

We are gratifi ed that Trinidad and Tobago can and does provide free education for citizens, from pre-school to the tertiary level.

Apart from scholarships which are tenable abroad, much of the latter is provided at the St. Augustine campus of the University of the West Indies, our regional university, which has gained a considerable international reputation; the University of Trinidad and Tobago, our relatively new national university; the College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago, which is a type of Community College; as well as a number of privately owned tertiary education Institutions, which offer degrees, in collaboration with universities overseas.

We are in the process of reviewing policies and processes at the pre-school, primary and secondary levels which will help to ensure that entrants at the tertiary level are adequately prepared. As we look back on the last fi fty years, we should acknowledge those achievements that stand out.

Beginning with the attainment of independent status, by peaceful means, we demonstrated our ability to see beyond limited parochial interests, when opposing political parties came together, at Marlborough House and, eschewing their differences, secured our Independence from Britain.

That was the situation on paper, but we had to confront the challenges of the early years and take the reins for ourselves, applying the lessons learned when we were governed. We made strides because of our collective commitment to nationhood and the intelligence of our leaders.

They recognized the work that, prior to their taking centre stage, had been done by ordinary men and women, some of them activists, who, often at risk to themselves, fought for human rights, on several fronts, including religion and in the workplace.

Our forward march has been steady and, for the most part, we got it right, setting up institutions, including independent ones, in keeping with our Independence, followed by our Republican, Constitutions.

Our reach, as a small nation, goes well beyond our size and this’ could only have been achieved by the participation of free men and free women who make up our population. We guard our right to be a part of the democratic process in our country and, as one of our national songs says: “We take a pride in our liberty.” Over the years, Trinidad and Tobago has secured for itself a respectable place among the nations of the world.

The spheres are many, including, but not confi ned to, diplomacy, international public service, science, medicine, law, literature, the Arts (including the performing arts), sport and fashion and we have given steel pan and steel pan music to the world.

Much of this achievement has been accomplished through the effort and sacrifi ce of patriots in the Diaspora, unpaid ambassadors, who still retain allegiance to our country; while acknowledging the blessings of their adoptive countries. We continue to build capacity, with a view to lifting the standard of living and improving the quality of life of the people of Trinidad and Tobago.

Our doors are open to those who would help us build, on mutually acceptable terms, so that we may develop our human resources, for maximum individual and collective benefi t and optimize our God given natural resources, of such wide variety.

We, particularly the younger members of our society, must become increasingly conscious of the fact that we have a past, which is a useful guide for our future.

We must also be acutely mindful that, according to experts, as a people, per capita, we are gifted far beyond many others and that we are a part of an interesting culture, the many avenues of which can be used to accelerate the development of our country, as a whole and draw others to our shores.

The fi fty year milestone ought to be a place of deep refl ection and the setting of sights for the next fi fty years. The signals, everywhere in the world, tell us that we must not delude ourselves regarding the way ahead.

While there are many unknown variables, it should be suffi ciently clear to leaders of the people and to the people themselves, that these are not ordinary times. Amazing things are taking place, some of which are phenomenal, some of which we would rather not face.

But then, we must. Responsibilities lie, at every level and they are hardly transferable. We have to get the message across that personal responsibility cannot be set aside and it is a message that must be inculcated in the very young. To fail to do so, is to contribute to lives wasted in recrimination and in the mode of “they also ran”.

I am convinced that we are well able to take our countries to levels of development that testify to our understanding and acceptance of the intrinsic value of every human being and of the need to preserve the dignity of humankind. Nationhood is empty without this banner.

With this in mind, let us, Trinidad and Tobago and Uganda, seek to pursue more robust collaboration between our two countries.

Trinidad and Tobago celebrating 50 years of independence. Click to view

Message form the prime minister. Click for more

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Evolution of the Economic Landscape of Trinidad and Tobago. Click for more

Ministry of Trade, Industry & Investment. Spearheading Diversfication Agenda. Read more

Ministry of Arts and Multiculturism. Culture in Trinidad and Tobago. Read more

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