The People’s National Movement 2020 manifesto promised a host of things when it was created on August 10, 2020.
The PNM in its manifesto during the country’s first ‘lockdown measures’ promised advanced technology reach nationwide, reduced traffic and a ‘work from home’ policy – remote working.
REDUCED TRAFFIC – BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE & HIGHER PRODUCTIVITY
“Technology convergence will revolutionize transportation, dramatically improving safety and mobility while reducing traffic congestion. The PNM will support and facilitate remote working and work from home in both the public and private sector. The reduced burden on the working population will have a positive influence on community and family life.”
Two and half years after the COVID-19 pandemic was declared the Government reversed its work from home policy and some aspects of its online technological reach has been dismantled – as public servants were ordered to return to work in full.
This has hit a sour note with citizens as traffic across the country has become a nightmare starting from as early as 5am.
The 2020 manifesto continued on the issue of cash-less systems (which has been mentioned again by the Finance Minister in the 2022/2023 Budget) and the digitization of public and private services.
“DIGITAL NATION TRANSFORMATION
In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, internet access and data sharing for business, administrative and social purposes are critical to removing the barriers of time and distance to facilitate transactions. Covid-19 has highlighted the fact that lack of access to ICT services prevents vulnerable groups from accessing online services or even performing basic activities in the new normal of social distancing.
Easy internet access, fast connectivity, an enabling digital environment, and optimal data storage are thus the foundation to the creation of a fully digital Trinidad and Tobago.
Technology, digitization of public and private services and a cashless economy will also facilitate the growth and diversification of the economy.”
While some aspects of digitisation worked during lockdown measures some of its framework which were promised in the 2020 manifesto had been discontinued and or is still to be materialised two and a half years later.
Which has brought a lot of heat to the Prime Minister as he said during a media conference on Monday inside the Parliament that there requires a level of technical infrastructure for the public service to function remotely.
“I don’t know that we are sufficiently prepared for that to be a major initiative, largely because it requires certain technical infrastructure. Under certain level of discipline, this is Trinidad eh…and Tobago. So we’re not ready for a major work from home policy, because some people don’t really work from the office.”
For more on the 2020 Manifesto click here –
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