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PM opens new High Commission office in Jamaica
I am delighted that we are gathered here at this building which now houses Trinidad and Tobago’s High Commission to Jamaica. Let me begin by recognizing and extending my sincere thanks to Her Excellency Reverend Dr Iva Gloudon, Trinidad and Tobago’s High Commissioner to Jamaica, and the staff at the High Commission. Thank you for your hard work in organizing this event and managing all of the necessary administrative details required to make today a success. Today’s event is appropriately symbolic of our belief, and mission, to ensure that even as we enjoy a long history of good relations, we always do more to enhance our relationship as CARICOM nations, and as friends. For me especially, I always welcome the opportunity to return to Jamaica. This was my home for many years when I pursued my Bachelor of Arts Degree and the Diploma in Education at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus. I also taught at the St Andrew’s High School in Kingston and lectured at the Mona campus so this is always a sort of homecoming for me. THE T&T/JAMAICA RELATIONSHIP As you know, this is a very short visit for the CARICOM/US Summit. We have the pleasure of hosting US President Barack Obama. Though short, I wanted to make the time to visit our new High Commission building. Because to me, and I said a moment ago, this is more than simply commissioning a new facility. The symbolism of today’s event is very strong, and is steeped in the story of two nations that share a long, cordial history of growing together, working together and achieving together. By their geographic locations, our two countries can be considered the sentinels of our region. Jamaica is at the northern end of the archipelago of English-speaking Caribbean islands, and Trinidad & Tobago is at the southern end. We are the two most influential and populous nations of the 15-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM). In 1962 our nations’ leaders understood that the choice of Independence offered the greatest hope for forging our own identity and destiny. Indeed, that moment came out of centuries of history, back to the time when we were called “the New World”. The people who came before us forever be our guiding light of inspiration because of their struggles and triumphs that took us to that point of independence. Fifty years later, we stood side by side as we heralded our Golden Jubilee of independence, looking back at the lighter and darker moments in our individual and shared history. You will also recall that I stood shoulder to shoulder with your Prime Minister, the Honourable Portia Simpson Miller, to receive the International Association of Political Consultants (IAPC) 2013 Democracy Award. I am sure you will agree that there was great symbolism there as well. As two nations that took hold of our destinies in 1962 with a passion for liberty and freedom, we stood together again 51 years later to celebrate our progress as exemplars in forging strong democratic institutions and traditions. We are therefore bound by history and hope; the pride and strength of our peoples and the determination to make our mark and define our space on the world stage. And while recently, on issues of immigration, signals arose that there is still work to do to enhance our diplomatic relations, I give you Trinidad & Tobago’s assurance that we will work to do better, for and by our peoples. I believe in the partnership our nations have been able to build together and I will do everything to ensure that we grow even stronger, together. HIGH COMMISSION AND RELATIONS And that brings us to today, to this formal commissioning of our diplomatic mission here in Jamaica. This building represents the kind of strength and permanence with which Trinidad & Tobago views our relationship with our CARICOM neighbour. We have enjoyed 52 years of diplomatic and trade relations with Jamaica, but this is the first time that Trinidad & Tobago has had the physical visibility which this building, our own building, now offers. It provides the platform upon which our national flags can fly side by side as part of the landscape of Kingston, Jamaica. I’m sure that the over 8000 Trinidad & Tobago nationals resident in Jamaica will find comfort in seeing our nations standing together in principle and in practice. And this is what it means to establish diplomatic missions in countries we share relationships with. These offices must not only be the entry point for administrative functions, but should stand as testimony to turning words into action. They should support our mission to enhance trade, enhance political relations and share information that can support our development programmes. And they must be that one-stop-shop for our peoples to learn about each other, establish contact and build stronger individual relationships through knowledge and culture. CONCLUSION But events such as these are better for face to face conversations, rather than speeches, so I will conclude here. As we celebrate our deep desire to walk towards the future as partners, I always believe it is necessary to ensure that the men and women who came before us find not only a safe place, but also a visible place in history. We must never allow ourselves, or our children to forget the giants who came before us, the men and women who fought to create the nations that inspire pride in us today. The likes of Bustamante, Manley, Seaga, Patterson and Garvey must be celebrated alongside the likes of Williams, Chambers, Panday, Manning and CLR James. I must also pay tribute to Mr. Osbourne Witter, the driver of the High Commissioner, who has been employed at the mission for the past 27 years. I also recognize the Director of Public Prosecutions Paula Llewelyn, and her deputy, Maxine Jackson, for the role they played in the successful prosecution of the man charged with the murder, in Jamaica, of the daughter of our Minister of Local Government, Marlene Coudray. Therefore, as I unveil this commemorative plaque, in celebration of the acquisition of this property, I do so in the names of those who came before us, those who we work for today, and those who will come after us. I thank you. http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/PM- ... &smobile=y
Signed the Project Agreement yesterday for the $US 987 million investment by Mitsubishi Corporation, Mitsubishi Gas Chemicals, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, the National Gas Company and Massy Holdings in Union Industrial Estate, La Brea.
Couva Preysal Interchange
Repaved Digity Trace, Penal.
Dizzy28 wrote:^^ But why the need to use older achievements??
Use current ones or are there none?
SEEBALACK BRANCH TR. PENAL, PAVED
Water Project at Niamath Trace, Rochard Road. PENAL
Habit7 wrote:Replace water cooler bottle at Ministry of Labour, Point Fortin office
http://www.culligan.com/uploadedImages/Culligancom/Content/Products/Bottled_Water/Bottled_Water_Delivery_450.jpg
Your government working for you.
Lee Mong Road, Tabaquite
Drainage and road rehabilitation, Lee Mong Road, Tabaquite
Bailey bridge in MUSARAP RD PENAL
Habit7 wrote:Replace water cooler bottle at Ministry of Labour, Point Fortin office
http://www.culligan.com/uploadedImages/Culligancom/Content/Products/Bottled_Water/Bottled_Water_Delivery_450.jpg
Your government working for you.
Redman wrote:Obviously no one was advised to look here.
Not like we only have one airport or anything
UML wrote:Lee Mong Road, Tabaquite
Drainage and road rehabilitation, Lee Mong Road, Tabaquite
zoom rader wrote:PNM have an Airport, it was called project Pride and like everything else nothing became of it. I think at the time 150 million was spent and not a red brick to show for it.
Trinis forget fast once it's PNM doings.
Rory Phoulorie wrote:zoom rader wrote:PNM have an Airport, it was called project Pride and like everything else nothing became of it. I think at the time 150 million was spent and not a red brick to show for it.
Trinis forget fast once it's PNM doings.
PNM is no better than the PPG and UNC. Who has forgotten the BWIA DC-9 purchase scandal, Caroni Race Track and Brian Lara Cricket Stadium, to name but just a few?
But the UNC, sorry the PPG, is in power now, tooting their horn for no real justifiable reason.
How could a State enterprise hire a consultant to do quantity surveying work for them, preparing cost estimates for major construction works, and then allow that same consultant go and prepare tenders for contractors who are bidding for the same work that the consultant prepared the cost estimates for? And then on top of that, the same consultant is now project managing the construction for the contractor for whom he prepared the bid and who, no surprise here, won the contract. Everybody in this scenario was "eating ah food" the other day.
Real files still have to buss.
