“Independence is a process. It's not something that’s going to happen overnight and I think we have been on a path for quite some time, trying to get more autonomy when it comes to self-governance, but I believe, in my humble opinion, that we dropped the ball along the way in the last 10 or 20 years.” These remarks were made by Dion M. Jennings, guest host of the "Honestly Speaking" program, on May 26, 2026. Photo: Facebook

Dion M. Jennings noted that the last Constitution was established in 2007, and by 2026, the country is still grappling with many of the same issues that were present back then. He expressed concern, stating, “I don't know if we made the progress, what we should have made.” Photo: VINO/file

These remarks were made by Dion M. Jennings, guest host of the "Honestly Speaking" programme, on May 26, 2026.

'Grappling with same issues'

Jennings noted that the last Constitution was established in 2007, and by 2026, the country was still grappling with many of the same issues that were present back then. He expressed concern, stating, “I don't know if we made the progress, what we should have made.”

He emphasised that achieving independence requires responsibility from everyone, including the government and the citizens, in order to foster self-reliance. He pointed out that the journey toward self-reliance must begin with food security.

“You cannot be an independent country unless you have some kind of food independence, but if tropical shipping does not come here, for two weeks, we are in a whole lot of trouble.”

'Independence is not just management'

Jennings further stated that independence is not just the management and administrative part of the country.

“When we're talking about food, educating our people, healthcare, and diversification of the economy, all that comes along with independence,” he added.

Jennings cautioned, “You can't just jump up and say you want to go independent because you want administrative power to deal with the revenues what comes into the government's coffers. It is a little bit more than that.”