00:00As Trinidad and Tobago prepares to celebrate the country's 64th anniversary of independence,
00:05Prime Minister Kamala Persad-Bissessa is of the opinion that this country should be in a better
00:10place. In her statement, Persad-Bissessa said, quote, the fact is that the British left us a
00:16very prosperous, functioning country in 1962, end quote. She cited that at the time of gaining
00:22independence, this country had a higher per capita income level than China, Spain, Portugal,
00:28Japan, Hong Kong, Mexico and other countries who have, quote, now superseded us, end quote.
00:35The PM also pointed out that the country had well-organized legal and governance structures,
00:40an advanced oil exploration and refining industry, an expansive agricultural industry,
00:46a low crime rate and a very clean environment. Persad-Bissessa went on to say in her statement,
00:53quote, it's time we grow up and stop blaming our problems on our colonial past to escape
00:57accepting responsibility for bad decisions we made post-independence that have resulted in negative
01:03consequences, end quote. She also pointed out that we all make mistakes and decisions that are not in
01:09our best interest in the name of quick success. However, Persad-Bissessa is urging the country to
01:15put shortcomings, biases and grievances aside, saying, quote, we share one citizenship, one homeland
01:22and a collective duty to put Trinidad and Tobago first. We have to move forward with conviction
01:27and accountability to be able to bequeath the future generations a stronger, safer and more
01:33prosperous nation. Dominic Ramroop, TV6 News.
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