FORMER market vendor turned politician, Foster Cummings hopes that at the end of his political career, whenever that is, to have contributed to the eradication of poverty in Trinidad and Tobago.
In an interview consisting of both virtual and in person meetings, Cummings, 48, said he entered politics as a natural progression from being involved in community work and service.
“My passion is to work towards poverty eradication and human development and I am committed to giving additional attention to the most vulnerable in society, as we work towards building a better TT for all.”
Cummings, who began his parliamentary career in 2008 as a temporary government senator, was appointed Minister of Youth Development and National Service, in April. It is his first full ministerial portfolio. He was selected by the Prime Minister to serve as a Minister in the Ministry of Works and Transport last year.
“My vision is for the ministry to be a dynamic, customer-oriented and policy driven organisation that brings all stakeholders together to promote youth development, and encourage national service across TT.”
“We are committed to advancing the youth development agenda, by providing safe spaces for young people in all regions across the country that will facilitate positive development; promote youth empowerment through involvement in productive activities, and increase youth participation in all aspects of sustainable development.”
Following his appointment as Prime Minister in August last year for a second term, Dr Rowley said while national service is voluntary; it will be a pathway for young people to be trained. He said that as he announced the creation of the youth focused ministry. He added that the ministry will be tied to three youth camps that were the fulfilment of campaign promises and appointed Laventille West MP Fitzgerald Hinds to lead the ministry.
Hinds was reassigned to the National Security Ministry in April after the death of Franklin Khan and Stuart Young was reassigned as Energy Minister, keeping his other responsibility as Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister. Cummings replaced Hinds and since then has launched an aggressive social media campaign to highlight his work as a MP and minister.
Cummings said one of the main hurdles in getting his job done is the current financial difficulties brought on by the pandemic. But he is not perturbed and aims to keep the focus guiding youths that the nation can be proud of.
“We need to focus on producing model citizens and providing adequate support for young people to attain their fullest potential. Providing skills training to equip them for the job market and facilitating opportunities for entrepreneurship to support the development of the next generation of progressive citizens.”
Part of this will be an agricultural project that the ministry is working on to be launched next year. The partnership will see youths working with young farmers to learn more about the industry.
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