LIKE lovers returning to the scene where they first met to celebrate an anniversary, Caricom leaders would reassemble in Chaguaramas in early July.
And Trinidad and Tobago’s taxpayers would foot the $20 million bill.
The 50th anniversary of the signing of the Chaguaramas Treaty would be commemorated at the north-western peninsula from July 3 to 6 with a talk shop.
Caricom leaders would also hold their routine annual meeting at that time.
T&T is hosting both events and paying the costs even though it would be Dominica’s turn to lead the Caricom Community and Common Market.
Bahamas currently holds the presidency of Caricom.
Much pageantry is planned for the occasion, although it is commonly accepted that Caricom has failed to meet the objectives of its mission established on July 3, 1973.
Then-Prime Minister Dr. Eric Williams hosted the inaugural meeting amid much regional fanfare and optimism.
The relevant start-up documents were also signed by Prime Ministers Errol Barrow and Michael Manley of Barbados and Jamaica respectively, and President Forbes Burnham of Guyana.
There are currently 15 members and five associates of the regional grouping.
Experts acknowledge that Caricom has not met its stated goals, including the full establishment of a single market and economy.
Even when decisions are taken, implementation often does not occur because of insularity, red tape, and weak regional leadership.
T&T’s taxpayers also took up the bill for the Caricom leaders’ meeting on crime, which took place over two days in mid-April, in Port of Spain.
The cost of hosting that event, along with supplementary charges for the 50th-anniversary celebrations of independence was $14.5 million.
The cost of the crime conference itself was $3.4 million.
Banners and set design alone set back taxpayers by $800,000, and the bill for “media” was $550,000..
Since the grand event at the Hyatt Regency, the rate of violence in Trinidad and Tobago has increased.
