The recent repeal of the Trinidad and Tobago Revenue Authority (TTRA) Act by the new UNC government has sparked significant debate over the continued employment and funding of its hierarchy within the Ministry of Finance. Despite the repeal, the TTRA’s top officials, who were hired under the previous administration, remain on the payroll, costing taxpayers substantial sums. Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo faces mounting questions regarding the rationale behind this financial burden on taxpayers.
The TTRA, a politically charged entity, saw its top officials earning over $150,000 monthly. Established under a prior administration’s policy agenda, the TTRA’s alignment with the current government’s priorities is now in question. Critics argue that continuing to fund such an entity undermines democratic accountability and represents a misallocation of public resources.
Governments are elected to implement their own policy objectives and allocate resources accordingly. Funding legacy entities that no longer serve the current administration’s goals is seen as wasteful, especially when these entities may have been established without proper feasibility studies or governance structures. The current administration is urged to assess the legal constitution, effectiveness, and necessity of these personnel before continuing payments.
Efficient and transparent use of public funds is a fundamental duty of any government. Paying for an entity that may no longer be operational, relevant, or producing measurable results contradicts sound fiscal management. Instead, funds should be redirected toward current national priorities or more impactful programs that align with present needs.
The current administration should not automatically inherit financial responsibility for organizations created by a previous government unless these entities continue to serve a clear, lawful, and strategic national purpose. Continued funding without such justification represents poor governance, weak accountability, and a misallocation of public resources.
Nizam Ganga, via e-mail