Minister Colm Imbert is responsible for three projects that have eased the strain on many citizens. I refer to the interchange, the water taxis and the much-improved Tobago ferry service. The traffic gridlock was the cause of much stress and anxiety. Now, the situation on evenings heading out of Port-of-Spain has noticeably eased up with a saving of at least 20-30 minutes in travel time. The relief has added a few years to the lives of people who were forced to endure the nightmare of endless bumper-to-bumper traffic.
This week, after many good reports from friends about the excellent water taxi service, I decided to try it out. I was surprised and impressed by the polite and courteous staff (with the exception of one security guard) and the high level of professionalism of the staff. The waiting terminal in San Fernando is clean and comfortable. The chairs are high quality and the ambience is calm and scenic. The toilets were clean. Trinis are not accustomed to queuing and I was pleasantly surprised by the organised manner in which customers are seated one after the other in sections, on a first-come, first-serve basis. The vessel was clean and comfortable and the journey was smooth and quick (45 minutes).
There are some fantastic sights and the arrival at the Waterfront makes you feel as if you’re in a different country. For the first time, I felt proud of PM Manning’s vision and his Waterfront Project. The tall, imposing buildings, the magnificent fountain, the Hyatt and the local indigenous signature Femmes du Chalet, formerly the Breakfast Shed, came together in a wonderful mosaic. As I walked off the water taxi and into Femmes du Chalet, I couldn’t help but sample some good creole food. I have been patronising the Breakfast Shed since I started working and was not happy that the old shed was going to be destroyed. There was something special about it. I miss the long benches and constant chatter but the new facility has grown on me. Modernity has won, but in a good way. The toilets could however do with some work.
But back to the indefatigable Colm Imbert. It is rare to see a minister trading punches and personally defending his ministry. Many ridicule him for taking time that could be better spent, replying to critics via letters to the editor but I commend him for doing this. It shows that he is listening to what the public is saying and is prepared to explain and defend his conduct and decisions. While his colleagues shy away, he is the political gladiator of the PNM in and out of parliament. He is not afraid to face the music, as was illustrated by his readiness to testify before the Uff Commission.
The goodly minister was on the Internet edition of the Guardian well after midnight, responding to the controversy created by Devant Maharaj’s Indo-Trinbago Equality Council (ITEC) over the use of trucks and other vehicles from Imbert’s ministry during the Emancipation Day celebrations. He denied ever receiving any request for similar assistance from Indian or Hindu groups and said there was no issue of discrimination. In a pointed and convincing response to one e-mail, he said: “There is no need to be insulting. That achieves nothing. You guys need to understand that quite a lot of what is published in the newspapers is inaccurate and designed to provoke controversy. In this particular case, the allegations make no sense, since if Sat Maharaj or Devant Maharaj had asked me for assistance with any of their cultural events, I would have responded positively, within reason, and they both know that.”
Apart from this, Colm has no qualms over picking up the phone and calling someone if he feels the need to chat things through. I myself have not escaped unscathed, as he has called me on a few occasions to convey his position on certain matters. He was able to immediately defuse the crisis over the use of a Christian priest alone to bless new buses purchased by the state for the Summit by calling Maharaj and explaining that he had no knowledge about the matter (it was PTSC) and that he acknowledged the point.
As if to confirm his stance, the inter-religious representation at the opening of the interchange was elaborate and conspicuous. Time management is critical; it is a challenge for all leaders and professionals. Minister Imbert deserves full credit for his tireless efforts and personal sacrifice. Whatever his shortcomings, no pun intended, he has distinguished himself as one of the best ministers in this administration. Given the level of mediocrity, he stands head and shoulders above the rest!
By Anand Ramlogan