Organisational or institutional memory refers to how organisations store, retain and reuse data, knowledge and experiences over time. This memory is codified in the rules and regulations, or in the systems and processes that guide everyday actions. Sometimes circumstances change, requiring procedures to be rewritten to accommodate new learning or technological changes. Introducing the changes requires consultation with persons affected by those changes.
A review of recent failed public sector initiatives will show that many new, useful initiatives failed because the consultation process was ineffective or non-existent. These failures span a wide range of public sector initiatives and have, on occasion, led to political consequences. Recent examples include the rejection of the Property Tax, the non-implementation of the Revenue Authority, the aluminium smelter and the Sandals project.
Consultation with the relevant stakeholders is an important step that is either overlooked or ignored by governments in the haste to implement projects or ideas considered important.
The implementation of mobile police posts is an example of a project that has widespread public appeal due to the crime situation. However, there was no consultation with local government bodies on the siting of these posts, even though the posts involve some construction on land under the control of those authorities and require their permission. It is not good practice for agents of the state to break the law.
The announcement that the Government has signed three memoranda of understanding, two of which concern data centres, raised eyebrows and generated criticism. Last week, Member of Parliament for Oropouche East, the constituency that will host the project, Dr Roodal Moonilal, confirmed that Government has agreed to the construction of a data centre. He said suitable land has been identified to build the facility within the Debe Special Economic Zone, located off the M2 Ring Road. This signifies a clear intention to proceed with this project with some alacrity.
Dr Moonilal said the project was particularly important for southern Trinidad, as it would initiate industrial development in the area. He based his support for the project on the need to create jobs following the closures of Caroni and Petrotrin. Caroni was closed in 2003, 23 years ago; Petrotrin in 2018. He, however, rejected residents’ concerns over heat and noise pollution.
Critics have objected to the establishment of data centres, arguing that they are a massive drain on the energy grid and strain water resources. Some telecommunications and economic analysts have cautioned that the scale of the proposed projects warrants scrutiny of long-term utility costs and environmental impacts. These are concerns which have been voiced in more developed countries. Indeed, several national and sub-national governments have implemented strict moratoriums, temporary bans, or geographic caps on the construction of data centres due to severe strain on local power grids and water supplies.
The response has been to dismiss critics as naysayers who complain regardless of the outcome. The objections have not yet coalesced into broad opposition sentiment. But these are early days. No public official has yet confirmed that the Environmental Management Authority has conducted due diligence to evaluate public concerns or given clearance for construction to begin. It is prudent, therefore, for the Government to release any necessary information to assuage public fears and to consult with stakeholders.
