PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC -Trinidad and Tobago is observing the 49th anniversary of Republicanism with President Christine Kangaloo noting that there were persons who had questioned whether the country was ready for that stage of its political development.
“At the time, there were those who questioned whether we were prepared for such a responsibility. And even today, when we experience moments that test our resolve—and those moments seem never in short supply—there are still those who question the wisdom of having taken that step. But I firmly believe that history has shown and will continue to demonstrate that we were right to take such a massive leap of faith,” Kangaloo said in a message marking the occasion.
The head of state said when Trinidad and Tobago achieved republican status in 1976, it was a declaration to the world the country was ready to shed the last vestiges of colonial rule, “and assume full ownership of our destiny”.
She said it was also a natural and necessary progression from the country’s political independence from Britain in 1962, and a step forward in “our ongoing journey of self-determination.
“Becoming a Republic meant replacing the British monarch and her representative with a Head of State chosen from among our own citizens. But more than that, it was a reaffirmation of our confidence in ourselves, our institutions, and our people. It was a reminder that we indeed possessed the mettle and the moxie to truly and fully go it alone,” President Kangaloo said.
In her message, Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar, while recounting the country’s accomplishments and looking forward to making more progress for future generations, said, “The independence of our state institutions must be renewed to drive fairness, accountability, and progress so future generations can inherit a republic defined by freedom and equal opportunity for all citizens.
“Republicanism is a form of government that is more than just a democracy. A constitutional republic, in addition to honoring democratic principles, institutes checks and balances on the government, to limit power and protect the constitutional rights of individuals and minorities.”
However, she noted that when the country replaced the British monarch with its own President in 1976, the new Republican Constitution should have established checks and balances and created independent institutions to protect rights and ensure that governance served citizens, not partisan interests.
“However, the Republican Constitution that was imposed on citizens was highly flawed<‘ Persad Bissessar said, recalling that “it was passed when there was no elected Opposition, due to the ‘No Vote’ campaign of 1971, after the Black Power uprising.
She said in 1972, the then prime minister, Dr. Eric Williams, appointed Sir Hugh Wooding to head a Constitution Commission, and it “created a widely respected Constitution, which made progressive changes to our system of government.
“These changes included a fairer electoral system with proportional representation, an end to the unelected Senate creating a single-chamber National Assembly, a President widely elected by members of the National Assembly, City, Borough and County Councils, and many other innovations.”
But she said Williams, widely regarded as the father of the nation, “rejected the Wooding Commission report and imposed the 1976 Republican Constitution, which gave the Prime Minister slightly more power than before, and made ‘independent’ institutions a sham, as they were appointed by the President, who became a creature of the ruling party”.
Persad Bissessar, who first served as prime minister from 2010 to 2015 and was re-elected for a new five-year term on April 28 this year, said that since then, efforts have been made to reform and strengthen the Republic.
She stated that the United National Congress (UNC)-led government of 1995–2000 introduced the Freedom of Information Act, the Judicial Review Act, and the Equal Opportunity Act.
“During my first tenure as Prime Minister, we modernized Parliament with Prime Minister’s Questions, introduced Proportional Representation in Local Government, enacted landmark Procurement legislation, and advanced measures for fairer resource distribution. Each of these initiatives upheld one principle: democracy must empower all our people.
“Today, we look forward and recognize that the independence of our state institutions must be renewed to drive fairness, accountability, and progress so future generations can inherit a Republic defined by freedom and equal opportunity for all citizens,” she said in her message.
In a statement posted on its website, the prominent opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) said the country is “proudly” celebrating the 49th anniversary of Trinidad and Tobago becoming a Republic.
“On September 24th, 1976, our nation took a bold step forward, embracing self-governance and affirming the values of democracy, unity, and national pride. As we raise our flag high, let us remember the sacrifices of the past, honor the achievements of the present, and remain committed to building a brighter tomorrow,” it added.
Meanwhile, the former head of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA), Hochoy Charles, is among 30 people to be honored by the country this year.
Charles, who died last January, will be posthumously awarded the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (ORTT, the country’s highest award.
Unlike the cancellation of national activities, including the traditional military parade, marking the country’s 63rd anniversary of political independence on August 31, this year, due to the existing state of emergency (SoE), President Kangaloo will host the national awards ceremony at the Winifred Atwell Auditorium, Queen’s Hall, on the outskirts of the capital on Wednesday evening.
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