It is possible, the scientists tell us, to halve poverty by the end of this decade and perhaps to eradicate it completely in another 25 to 30 years. Science and Technology have that capacity. Regrettably the will is not there – perhaps at the political and other levels.Of course, the origins of our plight lie in our colonial past when our resources were plundered and we remained underdeveloped. A development Agenda, therefore, is very vital at this present time. Otherwise, the gaps that I talked about will continue to widen and the plight of the poor, the underprivileged and the downtrodden will become even greater.

Opening of the 5thCaricom Regional Science, Technology & Mathematics Fair
August 16, 1994