分类： politics

In a significant political development, Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles has formally requested Acting President Wade Mark to suspend any immediate appointment of a substantive Chief Justice. In a letter dated October 22, Beckles proposed that Justice of Appeal Prakash Moosai be appointed as the acting Chief Justice instead. This recommendation follows a series of correspondences between Beckles and the acting President over the past 24 hours, as well as prior communications from President Christine Kangaloo on October 14, which endorsed Moosai for the role in the absence of Chief Justice Ivor Archie. Archie, who announced his retirement on October 21, had previously expressed his intention to step down after a distinguished 17-year tenure as Chief Justice during the opening of the law term on September 16. Beckles emphasized the need to adhere to constitutional provisions, specifically Sections 102 and 103 of the Constitution of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, and urged the acting President to prioritize the appointment of an acting Chief Justice. She cited legal advice and previous letters to substantiate her appeal. This unfolding situation marks a critical juncture in the nation’s judicial leadership.

A tense exchange unfolded between Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo and San Fernando East MP Brian Manning during a Standing Finance Committee meeting on October 21, as the committee reviewed a $6,012,215,208 budgetary allocation for the Social Development Ministry. The focal point of the debate was the government’s promise in the 2025/2026 budget to grant public servants a ten per cent wage increase. Manning, a former finance minister in the PNM administration, questioned whether the budget included provisions for this wage hike and if negotiations would conclude before the fiscal year’s end. Tancoo dismissed the inquiry, stating it had already been addressed and urged Manning to focus on the presented figures. Manning persisted, arguing that his question remained unanswered, prompting Speaker Jagdeo Singh to intervene and reiterate that the matter had been clarified. The exchange escalated as Tancoo accused opposition MPs of seeking headlines, while Manning emphasized his commitment to holding the government accountable. The meeting also touched on proposed increases to the National Insurance System (NIS) contribution rate, with Tancoo outlining a phased approach to raise the rate by three per cent in 2026 and another three per cent in 2027, extending the retirement age for full NIS pensions from 60 to 65 over the next decade. Diego Martin North/East MP Colm Imbert later contested whether the ministry’s allocations accounted for these NIS adjustments. The committee is set to continue its deliberations from October 22-25, with the House expected to pass the budget by October 25 and the Senate commencing its debate on October 27. Leader of Government Business Barry Padarath expressed confidence that Parliament would conclude the budget debate before October 31, ensuring the President has sufficient time to assent to the budget.

Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, has raised significant concerns about the Caribbean Community’s (Caricom) ability to coordinate its foreign policy effectively. Speaking at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Vice Chancellor’s Forum on October 21, Gonsalves criticized the bloc’s inability to agree on fundamental issues, such as defining a “zone of peace.” He specifically questioned Trinidad and Tobago’s stance on labeling the Caribbean and Latin America as a zone of peace, calling it a “misguided notion” that requires urgent reconsideration. The forum, titled *Promises, Passports and Possibilities: Free Movement, the CSME and the Caribbean Regionalisation Project*, was streamed live and attended both in person and online. Gonsalves emphasized that a zone of peace, as defined by international law, refers to state actors agreeing not to intervene in or threaten one another. However, he clarified that this concept does not extend to non-state actors like drug traffickers, arms dealers, or human traffickers. His remarks followed comments by Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who, at the 80th United Nations General Assembly, argued that the Caribbean could no longer be considered a zone of peace due to rising transnational crime. Gonsalves highlighted Caricom’s inconsistent response to tensions between the US and Venezuela, warning that any external intervention in Venezuela could lead to mass migration and security crises in the Caribbean. Drawing parallels to Europe’s migration challenges, he cautioned that Venezuelan refugees could overwhelm neighboring countries like Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, and St Vincent. Gonsalves urged regional leaders to approach these issues with calm, patience, and maturity, emphasizing the need for practical and principled decision-making. He also called for deeper Caricom integration, stressing the importance of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in interpreting Caricom law and the need for comprehensive rights for migrants, including access to education and healthcare. Gonsalves lamented the limited implementation of free movement rights among Caricom member states, criticizing efforts to restrict movement as counterproductive to addressing demographic and labor challenges. He also highlighted ongoing trade, currency, and airspace disputes, particularly with Trinidad and Tobago, as barriers to regional progress. Gonsalves concluded by warning that unresolved issues could deepen regional tensions and hinder Caricom’s integration efforts.

A heated four-hour debate unfolded in the House of Representatives on October 21, as government and opposition MPs clashed over the National Recruitment Drive, ministry vacancies, and budgetary allocations for the Ministry of People, Social Development, and Family Services. The Standing Finance Committee ultimately approved a budget of $6,012,215,208 for the ministry, but not without intense exchanges. Social Development Minister Vandana Mohit revealed approximately 634 vacancies in her ministry, sparking questions from opposition MPs about the recruitment drive’s purpose and qualifications for advertised posts. Opposition MPs, including Stuart Young and Keith Scotland, pressed Mohit for clarity, leading to repeated interruptions and appeals for order from Speaker Jagdeo Singh. Mohit emphasized that the recruitment drive was not designed to fill positions under the service commissions’ purview, while government MPs defended the allocations as sufficient. The session also saw personal jabs, with MPs accusing each other of childish behavior and political bias. The debate highlighted the ongoing tensions between the government and opposition, with Singh cautioning MPs against creating a ‘Potemkin village’—a facade masking deeper issues.

Tensions flared during a recent session of the Standing Finance Committee of the House of Representatives as opposition MPs raised concerns over an $8 million reduction in the budget allocation for garbage collection and other services in Port of Spain. The debate, which took place on October 21, saw Port-of-Spain North/St Ann’s West MP Stuart Young leading the charge, asserting that the cuts would significantly hamper the capital city’s ability to manage waste effectively. Minister of Local Government Khadijah Ameen countered these claims, stating that the allocation was sufficient and could be supplemented if necessary. She accused the opposition of creating unnecessary panic and seeking headlines rather than focusing on the facts. Ameen emphasized that the line item in question covered multiple services, not solely garbage collection. However, Young and other MPs, including Port of Spain South MP Keith Scotland and Diego Martin North East MP Colm Imbert, remained unconvinced, pointing to broader reductions in the Port of Spain City Corporation’s budget for goods and services, which had decreased by $20 million over the past year. St Ann’s East MP Dr. Nyan Gadsby-Dolly and Arouca/Lopinot MP Marvin Gonzales also pressed Ameen for clarity on where additional funding might come from, to which she reiterated her earlier responses. The session highlighted growing concerns over the financial management of essential services in the capital.

In a significant development for Trinidad and Tobago’s judiciary, Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh has been officially appointed as the new Chief Justice. The ceremony took place on October 22 at the Office of the President, where acting President Wade Mark presented Boodoosingh with his instrument of appointment. This appointment follows the retirement of former Chief Justice Ivor Archie, who served in the role for 17 years. Boodoosingh, a seasoned legal professional, brings a wealth of experience to the position. He was first appointed as a Justice of Appeal in 2020 and has a distinguished career spanning over three decades. His journey began in 1992 when he was admitted to practice as an attorney, after which he worked as an advocate at JD Sellier and Company. He later joined the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, where he served for seven years at various jurisdictional levels. In 2001, Boodoosingh transitioned to academia, becoming a lecturer at the Hugh Wooding Law School. There, he directed the trial advocacy programme and taught ethics, while also establishing the Human Rights Law Clinic. Beyond his academic contributions, Boodoosingh has conducted extensive training programmes for legal professionals, law enforcement personnel, and educators. He holds a Master of Laws degree specializing in International Dispute Resolution from the University of London and is certified in adult education, advocacy, and judicial training by prestigious institutions. Additionally, he is the author of four books, including a textbook on trial advocacy, and continues to tutor at the UWI Law Faculty. His expertise in settlement conferencing and mediation further underscores his qualifications for the role of Chief Justice.

The Tobago People’s Party (TPP) has announced that 55 individuals have submitted their nominations to stand as candidates in the upcoming Tobago House of Assembly (THA) elections. TPP leader Farley Augustine revealed this during a press briefing at Shaw Park on October 21. Augustine confirmed that the nomination process has concluded, and a committee is now rigorously vetting the nominees to ensure they meet the party’s membership and eligibility criteria.

Education Minister Dr. Michael Dowlath has announced that the school supplies and book grant is currently under review, responding to inquiries from his predecessor, St. Ann’s East MP Dr. Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, during the Standing Finance Committee meeting on October 21. The draft estimates for the 2026 budget reveal no allocation for this grant, contrasting sharply with the $20 million spent in 2024. Although last year’s budget (fiscal 2025) initially omitted this item, $20 million was eventually allocated in the revised estimates. Gadsby-Dolly sought clarity on the apparent omission for fiscal 2026, questioning whether the mid-term review would determine the grant’s continuation or the amount allocated. Dowlath reiterated that the grant remains under review, prompting Gadsby-Dolly to press for a definitive answer. Speaker Jagdeo Singh intervened, emphasizing that the minister had provided a clear response. Gadsby-Dolly expressed concern, interpreting the minister’s statement as uncertainty. The discussion also highlighted significant shortfalls in the Infrastructure Development Fund (IDF) for school repairs and upgrades. Despite allocations of $50 million for primary school improvements this year, only $1.5 million was spent last year. Dowlath acknowledged $34 million in arrears, promising funding through the mid-year review or alternative financing. Similar issues were noted for secondary schools, with $46 million in arrears and minimal spending from previous allocations. Gadsby-Dolly questioned whether the IDF was consistently underfunded, to which Dowlath did not directly respond. The committee ultimately approved the ministry’s total budget allocation of $5.266 billion.

In a powerful address to law students at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine, Attorney General John Jeremie, SC, issued a stark warning about the state of law and order in the country. Speaking at a Faculty of Law awards ceremony on October 17, Jeremie described the current situation as a state of anarchy, driven by persistently high homicide rates. He urged the students to find their calling and prioritize public service over personal economic gain, emphasizing the importance of their education in contributing to societal well-being. Jeremie’s speech also resonated with seasoned attorneys, challenging them to uphold moral and legal principles in their practice. His remarks come during a particularly violent period, with recent statistics indicating the bloodiest week of 2025. Despite claims from police officials about reducing crime rates, Jeremie’s candid assessment of the country’s lawlessness sets him apart from typical political narratives. His unwavering commitment to due process, fundamental rights, and the rule of law further distinguishes him within the Kamla Persad-Bissessar cabinet. As Jeremie navigates the tension between politics and professionalism, his tenure as Attorney General may redefine his relationship with the legal profession and the justice system.