Facebook Video Challenges ZOSO as Development ‘Holy Grail’

A Facebook video is challenging the Government’s portrayal of ZOSO as a holistic intervention for development and crime-fighting, arguing that social programmes can be implemented without granting the Prime Minister special powers to declare zones of special operations.

In the video, the speaker directly addresses a minister, disputing the claim that the public misunderstood ZOSO. “Minister, I don’t think the public misunderstood what ZOSO is about,” the speaker says, before questioning why a holistic development plan requires the Prime Minister to declare a space of special operations and deploy police and soldiers.

The speaker contends that ministries such as Sports, Community Development, Education, and Social Development could collaborate on a holistic intervention plan without ZOSO. As an example, the speaker notes that a child living in Tunapuna but attending school in Toco could be assisted through a simple conversation with the Minister of Education and a school transfer, without needing ZOSO. The speaker also highlights existing courses in barbering and other skills training, saying “we are teaching people to fish.”

Drawing on past programmes, the speaker recalls MILAT, which targeted young men aged 16 to 20 who did not get their subjects, and youth camps for girls. The speaker claims that when the People’s Partnership was in power in 2011, they dismantled the trade side of MILAT, and suggests the minister should research more before making public statements.

The video raises questions about the necessity of special powers for community development and crime-fighting, and whether existing social interventions could achieve similar goals without ZOSO.

Article and image source: facebook.com