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In a sharp rebuttal to her predecessor’s assertions, Minister of the People, Social Development and Family Services Vandana Mohit has publicly denounced claims that the ministry operated flawlessly under previous leadership. The January 12th statement directly addresses what Mohit characterizes as “misleading and factually unfounded” comments from former minister Donna Cox regarding the ministry’s operational status during her tenure.

Mohit accused Cox of engaging in historical revisionism, stating that such remarks are “politically motivated and dangerously disconnected from reality.” The minister presented counter-evidence highlighting that social services grants for January 2026 were successfully processed and disbursed by January 1st, contradicting narratives suggesting otherwise.

The current administration inherited significant systemic challenges including entrenched backlogs, obsolete operational systems, fragmented processes, and inadequate inter-agency coordination, according to Mohit. She emphasized that the previous government’s portrayal of perfect functionality ignores documented evidence of delayed grant payments, operational inefficiencies, and administrative strain that were subsequently acknowledged by that same administration.

Mohit suggested that Cox’s comments reflect “a troubling indulgence in revisionist nostalgia rather than an honest engagement with facts” and indicated that the former minister appears “hypnotized by the sustained momentum of reform work” currently underway. The ministry has reportedly achieved measurable progress in key service areas, moving from stagnation to demonstrable improvement within months.

Notable accomplishments include dramatically reducing the backlog of senior citizens’ pension payments through strategic interventions involving direct engagement with the National Insurance Board and the Ministry of Finance. These efforts resolved emergency issues that potentially threatened timely disbursement systems.

The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Trinidad and Tobago’s most vulnerable citizens while ensuring social support services are delivered with fairness, transparency, and punctuality.

In an unprecedented electoral triumph, the Tobago People’s Party (TPP) led by Chief Secretary Farley Augustine secured a comprehensive victory in the Tobago House Assembly elections on January 12, capturing all 15 contested seats. The decisive win marks a significant political shift in the island’s governance, completely eliminating opposition representation from the People’s National Movement (PNM).

The TPP declared victory shortly after 9 pm, surpassing their previous 14-1 seat achievement in the 2021 elections. The outcome was particularly devastating for PNM’s Kelvon Morris, who lost his Darrel Spring/Whim constituency by a narrow margin of 17 votes after previously winning by just three votes in 2021.

PNM Tobago leader Tracy Davidson-Celestine announced her resignation following the crushing defeat, stating her support for “transition to new leadership” while confirming the party would seek recounts in several marginal constituencies. The resignation came amidst a atmosphere of stunned disbelief within PNM ranks, which had maintained hope until late evening that Morris might retain his seat.

This victory continues the TPP’s remarkable electoral trajectory. In the 2021 THA polls, the party’s predecessor organization (PDP) secured 58% of votes (16,932 votes) compared to PNM’s 41% (11,942 votes). The trend continued in the 2025 general election where TPP captured two parliamentary seats with 55% of votes cast (13,857 votes versus PNM’s 11,000 votes).

The campaign featured intense debate around both local and national issues. Critical discussion points included the controversial placement of a US military radar at ANR Robinson Airport, substantial increases in traffic fines, and rising late fees for driver’s permits. The THA’s procurement of ambulances also emerged as a significant campaign topic, with the PNM criticizing the $18 million expenditure for 12 vehicles.

Augustine had previously made headlines by vowing to personally “mash up” the US radar installation if evidence emerged it had assisted American operations against Venezuelan leadership. The PNM campaign attempted to raise concerns about potential Trinidad-style closures of Cepep and URP programs, allegations that Augustine dismissed as fearmongering tactics.

Despite the overwhelming defeat, Davidson-Celestine praised PNM’s “excellent candidates” and acknowledged democratic processes while urging supporters not to “lose hope in the PNM and do not lose hope in Tobago.” She noted the party had detected significant voter dissatisfaction during campaigning that ultimately failed to translate into electoral support.

The electoral process involved 42 candidates competing across 15 constituencies, with TPP and PNM contesting all seats while the Innovative Democratic Alliance fielded 11 candidates and Unity of the People presented one candidate. The Elections and Boundaries Commission reported no voting irregularities despite minor confusion among some voters regarding polling station locations.

This electoral restructuring followed the EBC’s creation of three new seats in 2021 (Lambeau/Lowlands, Darrel Spring/Whim and Mt St George/Goodwood) to prevent recurrence of the previous 6-6 deadlock that had paralyzed the assembly. Boundary adjustments in Mason Hall North/Moriah and Mason Hall South/Bagatelle further refined the electoral landscape ahead of the January 12 poll.

Tobago’s House of Assembly elections concluded without incident on January 12, thanks to comprehensive security oversight led by Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro and Deputy Commissioner Suzette Martin. The top brass of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) personally supervised electoral operations across the island, implementing strategic measures to ensure public safety and electoral integrity.

Commissioner Guevarro conducted inspections at multiple key stations including Scarborough, Charlotteville, and Roxborough, engaging directly with station commanders and frontline officers. His visits focused on assessing policing requirements specific to the electoral context and providing operational guidance. He was accompanied by Assistant Commissioners of Police Earl Elie and Collis Hazel during these critical assessments.

The TTPS executed widespread officer deployments throughout Tobago with the dual objective of maintaining orderly electoral proceedings and safeguarding all citizens, stakeholders, and institutions involved. In a post-election statement via social media, the police service highlighted its commitment to facilitating a smooth and incident-free democratic process.

Commissioner Guevarro publicly commended Tobagonians for their exemplary conduct throughout the voting exercise, noting the absence of any significant disturbances or security breaches. The successful security operation demonstrates the TTPS’s capacity to manage large-scale democratic events while maintaining public order.

A High Court judge has dismissed a defamation lawsuit against Trinidad and Tobago’s Energy Minister Dr. Roodal Moonilal, citing the claimants’ persistent failure to advance their case through proper legal channels. Justice Frank Seepersad ruled against investment entities Trillions Systems Ltd, Rose Capital Investments Ltd, and businessman James Kerron Rose, while simultaneously granting permission for their legal representatives to formally withdraw from the matter.

The court expressed significant concern over the claimants’ disregard for judicial directives issued since July 2025, which mandated specific procedural actions including the filing of formal replies and document disclosures. Justice Seepersad noted that six months had elapsed without meaningful progress, stating: “The court must jealously guard its process. Delay will not be tolerated by this court.”

Legal representatives for the claimants detailed extensive but unsuccessful efforts to contact their clients between July and September 2025, utilizing multiple communication channels including email, telephone calls, and WhatsApp messaging. The attorneys revealed that despite attending case management conferences in May 2023 and June 2025, they had received no instructions from Rose or the companies to comply with court requirements.

Minister Moonilal’s defense team, led by Senior Counsel Anand Ramlogan and attorney Jared Jagroo, highlighted the unusual circumstance of supposedly substantial corporate entities being unreachable by their own legal counsel. Ramlogan emphasized the significant public interest dimensions of the case, noting that the minister’s controversial statements addressed allegations of illegal quarrying and financial improprieties affecting public investors.

The defamation claim originated from Minister Moonilal’s September 2024 press briefing, streamed on the United National Congress’s Facebook platform and shared through his personal social media accounts. The claimants alleged the minister had falsely associated them with illicit quarry operations, questionable government contracts, and financial misconduct, resulting in substantial reputational damage and business losses.

Following the dismissal, Minister Moonilal issued a statement characterizing the ruling as a complete vindication of his public interest advocacy. He referenced ongoing investigations by the Securities and Exchange Commission into the claimants’ operations and expressed concern for citizens who allegedly suffered financial losses through their dealings with Rose’s companies. The minister pledged to continue addressing matters of public concern regardless of potential legal challenges, while acknowledging his legal team for their steadfast representation throughout the proceedings.