THE EDITOR, Madam:
I RECENTLY returned from a trip to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and must express my total disappointment with the success or rather, the lack of success of the initiative to allow for the free movement of CARICOM nationals throughout the region.
Firstly, one must still present a passport and supply very detailed information as to purpose of your visit. In addition you must also state the number of times you have visited Trinidad and the date of your last visit.
Unfortunately for me I did not have my expired passport to allow me to provide this information, perhaps in future the travel agents and airlines should advise of this requirement so that we equip ourselves with this information.
I must indeed express my deep appreciation to the immigration officer who kindly allowed me entry despite the lack of this vital piece of information. What worries me more though is the apparent inability of the region's leaders to get this first step right.
We have been using taxpayers money for a number of years to finance the establishment and staffing of a CARICOM secretariat including pay packages and other perks to the most brilliant brains in the region. I need not mention the number of conferences that have been held by the heads of government designed to iron-out these rather vexing problems. Despite all the effort though, the process of implementation seem to be constantly eluding our leaders.
What is interesting to note is that the leaders have now reached the advanced stage of examining the process to facilitate the free movement of labour throughout the region.
I will wait with bated breath to see how this one will be implemented. After all the region's success as it relates to CARICOM is quite obvious.
I am, etc.,
FAYE JACOBS
fayej@n5.com.jm
