作者： admin

In a striking display of political irony, Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander has drawn sharp criticism for his recent admonishment of citizens and media outlets utilizing social platforms for information gathering regarding national affairs. The minister’s reprimand appears particularly contradictory given his own government’s extensive reliance on these very channels for official communications.

The controversy stems from Alexander’s expressed frustration with the public’s growing dependence on digital platforms to stay informed about Trinidad and Tobago’s current socio-political climate. Critics argue this stance ignores the fundamental reality that citizens have turned to alternative information sources precisely due to the government’s inadequate official communication strategies.

This situation grows more paradoxical when examining the political history of Alexander’s United National Congress (UNC) party. During their time in opposition, the UNC actively leveraged social media influencers to disseminate narratives targeting various institutions including the judiciary, previous administration, law enforcement, and private sector entities. Now holding governing power, the party confronts the amplified consequences of these very tactics they once employed.

The UNC maintains the most substantial social media footprint among Trinidad and Tobago’s political organizations, with countless supporters daily amplifying party messages. Notably, significant governmental announcements—including the recent budget date revelation—frequently debut on UNC-affiliated digital platforms before appearing on official ministry channels. Even Prime Ministerial decisions, such as the prohibition of Carnival celebrations at state-owned venues, have been communicated primarily through social media.

Commentator Nigel Seenathsingh of San Fernando emphasizes that responsible social media regulation requires public consultation rather than ministerial reproach. While acknowledging current challenges with digital discourse, including cyberbullying and hate speech, he invokes Albert Einstein’s wisdom that problems cannot be resolved using the same mindset that created them. The solution, he suggests, lies in collaborative efforts to establish fair usage guidelines rather than chastising citizens for embracing communication channels the government itself actively employs.

The Trinidad and Tobago government confronts a significant fiscal challenge as it seeks sources for $3.8 billion required to fulfill back pay obligations to public servants. This financial commitment follows the recent settlement between the Public Services Association (PSA) and the Chief Personnel Officer (CPO) regarding a ten percent salary increase promised during the April general election campaign.

Dr. Kennedy Swaratsingh, Minister of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development, indicated that funding details would emerge “soon enough” when briefly addressing reporters outside the Red House on November 28. The agreement, reached on November 27, structures the increase across a five-year period with one percent annually from 2014 to 2018 and five percent in 2019.

The settlement is projected to increase recurrent government expenditure by $420 million annually. CPO Dr. Daryl Dindial confirmed plans to formalize the agreement through a memorandum of understanding with PSA representatives on December 1, followed by expedited Cabinet ratification potentially as early as December 4.

Opposition Chief Whip Marvin Gonzales expressed cautious optimism about the settlement while emphasizing the need for transparency regarding funding mechanisms. Meanwhile, former finance minister Colm Imbert raised concerns about potential ripple effects, warning that similar demands from other unions could escalate the state’s financial burden to approximately $20 billion in back pay and $2 billion in additional annual expenditure.

Minister in the Ministry of Public Utilities Clyde Elder cautioned against renegotiation attempts from other unions, noting that organizations that previously accepted four percent settlements should not expect retroactive adjustments based on the PSA’s outcome. Elder highlighted the PSA’s particular struggles during previous administrations and deferred payment timing decisions to Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo.

In a significant address at Kent House in Maraval on November 28, Minister of Rural Development and Local Government Khadijah Ameen issued clear directives to eleven newly appointed boundary committee members. Emphasizing the critical importance of preserving community integrity, Minister Ameen stressed that municipal boundaries must adhere to natural divisions rather than artificially splitting villages and communities.

The Minister highlighted substantial disparities in current electoral representation across different regions. Data reveals concerning imbalances where individual councillors represent populations ranging dramatically from 3,800 to over 15,700 citizens depending on their corporation. This variation, according to Ameen, creates fundamental inequities in governance and resource allocation that must be addressed through boundary reform.

Demographic distribution emerged as another crucial factor in the boundary determination process. Minister Ameen noted that while some municipal areas contain merely 2-4% of the national population, others such as Tunapuna/Piarco account for significantly higher percentages at 17% and 14% respectively. Geographic size variations further complicate the landscape, with municipalities spanning from compact 12 square kilometer areas to expansive 927 square kilometer regions like Sangre Grande.

The Minister articulated the direct connection between equitable boundary division and fair funding distribution, stating that proportional resource allocation remains impossible without geographic and demographic balance. While expressing confidence in the committee’s ability to fulfill its mandate, Ameen clarified the procedural framework: the committee’s recommendations will proceed to Cabinet, though ultimate authority rests with Parliament regarding municipal boundaries, while the Elections and Boundaries Commission maintains jurisdiction over electoral districts.

Ameen encouraged committee members to utilize available demographic data and community consultations to inform their decisions, particularly emphasizing the need to create sub-regions based on development priorities where necessary. This approach aligns with the Prime Minister’s longstanding concerns regarding funding disparities resulting from inequitable boundary divisions.