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Within a week, the prime minister-designate, Stuart Young, will assume the role of the prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago.
Ferdie Ferreira, a long-time People’s National Movement (PNM) stalwart, said the PNM has never had a succession plan in its 68-year history. He made this comment when there was dissent or controversy at Dr Keith Rowley’s blessing of Mr Young as his successor.
Ferreira shrewdly observed, however, that: “Whoever they select, from my experience, they will fall in line”—noting that the PNM party has a history of its membership rallying behind its leader.
It was later reported that the General Council closed ranks: “Council members said [Foster] Cummings had gotten up from his place at the head table and spoken from the floor.
“[Jennifer] Baptiste-Primus voted against convention postponement, while the majority of general council attendees ratified postponement. There were 70 votes in favour, with one against and five abstentions.”
It appears that Ms Baptiste-Primus said Dr Rowley’s recent comments on the issue were too “convoluted”, adding that he did not explain what he meant by the “developing political situation” that resulted in the convention not being held.
As time unfolded, there has been some light on what Dr Rowley may have meant by “the developing political situation”. But Mr Young has a party to unify. It is fascinating to see that Cummings, the Party general secretary, is the de facto “kingmaker”.
Lest we forget, the PNM is the party that had two members of parliament, Franklin Khan and Eric Williams, step down because of bribery allegations in 2004. The allegations proved false, and Khan returned to office and party chairman.
Mr Cummings, like others of the United National Congress’ slate, has unanswered questions over his head. A question that has to be resolved, given the goings-on with the parliamentary caucus, is the effective control of the party.
In the forthcoming election, Mr Young has to convince the PNM base and the independent/swing voters that he is more than a placeholder.
I believe the electorate is split into three groups: the two bases that are solidly in one or the other camp and a third which is keenly observing and may or may not vote. The timing of the election is crucial in allowing Mr Young room to establish himself as a man independent of Dr Rowley.
The latter has cut a polarising figure. He has been perceived as arrogant and has often taken the bait from Mrs Kamla Persad Bissessar when he should have ignored her. Will Mr Young follow in his steps?
The party has continued with the old-school politics of walking the constituencies. This action is essential, but Mr Young needs to recognise that the social media campaign sadly lacks bite.
What does Mr Young stand for? How does the PNM energise the young people and the undecided voters to stain their fingers?
Mr Young promised education reform, and Mr Cummings has been feverishly developing programmes for the young people. Will these be sufficient to move the youths out of their seats? What about the other older folk?
In an earlier column, I spoke about the polycrises that face our country. In it, I quoted an idea from Adam Tooze, a US historian, which applies to us as we enter an election year:
“It’s like riding a bicycle. The bike is inherently unstable. It should fall over; if it falls over, you get hurt. On the other hand, if you learn how to ride it, it’s God’s gift. It’s a good image for the challenge of modernity.”
What does Mr Young have to do? He must identify and act upon the most significant economic, technological, educational and health problems confronting us. As a national leader, Mr Young must conceptualise how we could maximise our ability to survive in our changing world.
Of prime importance, he and his finance minister must determine how to manage our tax dollars and strategise how to allocate our foreign exchange.
Mr Young, in his speech at the energy conference, said that the country was at a crossroads. This speech, made three weeks ago on 10 February, underscored his understanding of our energy dilemma.
US President Donald Trump announced renewed sanctions on Venezuela and Chevron to make the urgency more apparent. Mr Young reported that he (and Dr Rowley) took a proactive step to protect the Dragon Field initiative.
(Copyright Office of the Prime Minister.)
He couched it as “crucial for T&T’s energy security, Caricom’s stability, and geopolitical relations with other nations” and “emphasised that the gas supply expected by 2027 would help secure foreign exchange, pay the country’s bills, and ensure adequate healthcare and education.”
In their reporting, Reuters indicated that “Trinidad and Tobago plans to ask US President Donald Trump’s administration to extend a license for Shell and Trinidad’s National Gas Company to develop a key gas project in Venezuela—four sources close to the preparations said.”
Shell and NGC have had access to seismic, geotechnical and well data on the Dragon field and are satisfied that there is at least 4.2 trillion cubic feet of gas. Shell also completed a seabed survey to ensure it would not encounter any hazards.
It is now trying to determine where and how many wells will be drilled, the pipeline route to its facilities in Trinidad and the subsea tieback. Shell is the world’s largest trader in LNG.
If supply contract negotiations between Trinidad, Venezuela and Shell lead to prices close to the most recent gas contracts signed in Venezuela, Dragon’s volumes would generate some USD30 million in monthly revenue from sales.
Of this figure, 20 percent would go to Venezuela’s coffers as royalty payments, according to calculations by the consultancy Gas Energy Latin America.
The Financial Times reported: “Some analysts question whether the oil licence cancellation represents a permanent policy shift or simply a negotiating tactic to wring concessions from Maduro—and please Florida lawmakers with Venezuelan constituents.”
It opined: “However, the strategy is prisoner to the capriciousness of the man in the White House.” The unspoken fact is that Russia, to which Trump appears to be beholden, is a sponsor of Venezuela.
This opinion aligns with Mr Young’s assessment: “Can we provide any assurance at this stage? The answer is obviously no. Are we engaged with the right people? We believe we are.”
Mr Young stated: “I can assure the people of Trinidad and Tobago, both in my current role and future role, that I will fight for this country. I will do everything I can to advocate for T&T, regardless of what happens.
“It could happen in 24 hours, two weeks, or not at all, but I will not give up—that is not what leadership is about.”
Mr Young’s hard work on this Dragon Field initiative shows. However, he is more hazy about what he hinted were his intentions for the country.
It leaves us wondering whether he can rise above being a hard worker to be a visionary who can appreciate global trends and pivot our resources to enhance our position.
Photo: Ministry of Education
It may be a function of not being precocious while Dr Rowley is still the de facto prime minister. But he has to face the country with his vision for us. At a function attended by school-aged children, Mr Young promised:
“One of the things I’m planning for the future is how do we change the educational curriculum. How do we intervene now and start to shed ourselves of the colonial curriculum that we have?
“How do we make it more relevant today to give our future citizens the best opportunities here and globally? How do we incorporate AI? How do we incorporate technology? We have to acknowledge that not everyone is academically driven.”
He should remember that in 2021, CAF—the Development Bank of Latin America—and the Ministry of Education of Trinidad and Tobago signed agreements to expand equitable access to quality virtual education for primary and secondary students from public schools in the country.
During and after Covid-19, our students suffered. We have emerged worse off in this area. Did the agreements go the way of all flesh? As a nation, we have not done well in implementing international agreements for our development.
How does Mr Young plan to redeem our more than 36,000 children in desperate need of remedial help to read, write and do sums?
Failure over the past has led to increased inequality and acts as a feeder for our crime factory. Between fiscal years 2016 and 2023, approximately $69.5 billion was allocated in the national budget to the education sector.
It is obvious that Mr Young recognises that despite that spending, we have not progressed well.
Mr Young should also remember the fiasco that is our attempt to create better infrastructure for our schools.
Over eight years, between fiscal years 2016 and 2023, more than $2.3 billion was allocated by the Government to projects to repair or construct primary and secondary schools.
While much of the controversy regarding this expenditure did not occur under the PNM administration, it is necessary to note the words of Independent Senator David Small:
“We’re talking about a billion-dollar company where it’s clear, based on the information presented this morning, the tendering process was compromised. The committee is very concerned, and what has emerged is a pattern of malfeasance in public office.”
But even if we can sidestep the corruption involved in repairing and building our schools, reform requires more than that. In his paper on Educational Improvement in Trinidad and Tobago, Freddy James noted:
“One reason why reforms fail is if stakeholders are not consulted and have not bought into the reform prior to its implementation.” So, Mr Young, you cannot spring a surprise and expect success. The teachers who are now beaten down and weary must be consulted.
A second reason reforms fail is when the reform effort does not take on a systemic perspective. A holistic approach to change should be adopted where all levels within the internal system are developed and connected to the external systems with which they interact.
Mr Young, you have to focus on the variables that matter, such as psychological, instructional and home environment issues.
We wish you the best in your tenure. We await learning more about your vision. The definitive outcome will be the decision of the electorate on election day.
Stuart Young SC, member of the House of Representatives and currently minister of Energy and minister in the Office of Read more
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