标签： Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago’s Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo has announced the imminent operationalization of the long-awaited Motor Vehicle Accident Fund, with full infrastructure expected to be in place by the first quarter of 2026. The announcement comes amid heated political debate regarding recently passed financial legislation.

During a December 7 interview, Minister Tancoo emphasized that the Financial Bill provisions were designed specifically to protect citizens, countering opposition claims that the measures simply imposed additional taxes. “The People’s National Movement is attempting to create the impression that this is a tax on people,” Tancoo stated, “when in reality it establishes crucial protections for accident victims.”

The Minister explained that the current system leaves victims without recourse when involved in accidents with uninsured, unlicensed, or improperly documented drivers. The new framework establishes significantly increased penalties for traffic violations while simultaneously creating a safety net for those affected by such violations.

“We have implemented substantially higher penalties for driving without insurance, operating overloaded vehicles, driving without proper permits, and using fraudulent insurance documentation,” Tancoo detailed. “Concurrently, we’ve established an Accident Victims Fund to provide compensation for those injured by uninsured motorists.”

The fund’s history dates back to 2008, with significant development occurring during Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s first administration between 2010-2015. Cabinet approval for the fund was granted in 2015 with an initial $20 million allocation. The project faced delays due to legal challenges from the Motor Insurance Bureau Association, and as recently as last year, advocacy group Arrive Alive had questioned the ministry about the fund’s status, which was reported to contain approximately $1 billion.

Tancoo directly addressed political opposition to the measures, asserting that only lawbreakers had reason to fear the increased penalties. “The PNM voted against these protections and apparently believe there should not be increased penalties for those who break the law,” he stated. “As far as I’m concerned, the PNM is encouraging violation of the law. They have never supported government anti-crime measures.”

The Minister emphasized that the dual approach of increased penalties and victim compensation was designed to both deter unlawful behavior and provide protection for law-abiding citizens. “We are trying to encourage compliance with traffic laws while ensuring that victims have recourse when others choose to break those laws,” he concluded.

The Financial Bill containing these provisions passed on December 5, 2024, during the 2025/2026 budget presentation, which also announced increased fines for dangerous driving, driving under influence, and driving while disqualified.

Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo has explicitly distinguished the newly implemented Landlord Tax from the previous administration’s controversial property tax, asserting fundamental differences in their underlying principles. In a December 7th interview with Newsday, Minister Tancoo addressed what he characterized as misinformation being propagated about the fiscal measure passed within the Finance Bill, 2025.

The Minister clarified that while the former People’s National Movement (PNM) government’s property tax targeted private homeowners based on assumed rental income that often didn’t exist, the current Landlord Tax specifically targets actual revenue generation. “The property tax was based on residential income which did not exist,” Tancoo stated. “Home owners were being asked to pay a tax on income that they were not generating. That, in itself, was manifestly unethical and unfair.”

Tancoo emphasized that the new tax regime focuses exclusively on landlords engaged in commercial activity who have remained unregistered and non-compliant with tax obligations. “We are not taxing fake income, we are taxing real income which should have been taxed in the first place,” he explained, characterizing rental income as a legitimate revenue stream that warrants taxation.

The Finance Minister revealed that according to former administration estimates, there are approximately 100,000 landlords operating in Trinidad and Tobago who would fall under the purview of this tax. He notably pointed out that some government ministers themselves, described as “substantial landowners” receiving rent from the government, had not been contributing fairly to public coffers.

Tancoo defended the current policy as “much more equitable, just and legal” than its predecessor, noting that the administration had consistently opposed taxing private residences while in opposition. The Landlord Tax specifically exempts homeowners who do not generate revenue from their properties, distinguishing it fundamentally from the previous approach that assessed taxes based on potential rental value rather than actual income.

In a sharp rebuke to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s allegations, Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles has categorically denied claims that the People’s National Movement (PNM) receives financing from criminal elements. Beckles characterized the Prime Minister’s assertions of PNM connections to a ‘local drug mafia’ and anti-American narratives as ‘ridiculous’ and ‘entirely unfounded.’

The political confrontation escalated as Beckles addressed journalists upon arriving at the House of Representatives on December 5th. She challenged the Prime Minister to present any evidence of criminal linkages to law enforcement authorities rather than employing what she described as politically motivated accusations. Beckles suggested these allegations serve as a diversionary tactic amid growing scrutiny over the government’s installation of US radar systems in Tobago.

The Opposition Leader’s response comes directly after Persad-Bissessar’s social media statements on December 1st, wherein she implicated ‘persons, groups, politicians, and businesses profiting from drug trafficking’ in promoting anti-American sentiment. The Prime Minister further accused PNM of obstructing governmental anti-drug and anti-human-trafficking initiatives while hinting at connections to serious criminal activities.

Beckles redirected attention to what she termed the administration’s opaque handling of the Tobago radar deployment, questioning the contradictory explanations provided to the public. ‘National security matters may contain sensitive components,’ she acknowledged, ‘but citizens deserve fundamental transparency regarding governmental actions affecting national sovereignty.’

The Opposition Leader additionally refuted claims that previous PNM governance had neglected the nation’s radar infrastructure, dismissing this as another tactical distraction. Separately, Beckles expressed optimism about PNM’s prospects in upcoming Tobago House of Assembly elections, highlighting the party’s substantial investments and continued development efforts in the region.

Parliamentary proceedings witnessed further tension as Opposition Chief Whip Marvin Gonzales invoked Standing Order 32.1 regarding privilege matters submitted to the Speaker’s office. Government MPs defended the deliberative process while assuring rulings would be delivered following proper procedural review. Deputy Speaker Singh confirmed multiple privilege complaints remain under examination with commitments to issue determinations ‘in due course.’

A contentious parliamentary session unfolded in Trinidad and Tobago’s House of Representatives as opposition MP Keith Scotland (Port of Spain South) sharply criticized the government’s handling of proposed electoral boundary adjustments for Tobago. The Draft EBC Local Boundaries and Tobago Order 2025, which proposes renaming two Tobago electoral districts from Bagatelle/Bacolet and Mason Hall/Moriah to Mason Hall South/Bagatelle and Mason Hall North/Moriah, was presented to Parliament on December 4th despite being submitted to Rural Development Minister Khadijah Ameen on August 29th.

Scotland accused the government of acting at “the 11th hour,” suggesting the delayed presentation resembled “a thief in the night” and questioning why three months elapsed before parliamentary consideration. He emphasized that Minister Ameen was constitutionally obligated under Section 72(3) to submit the report “as soon as may be” after receipt, even if concerns required subsequent addressing.

Minister Ameen defended the timeline, revealing that her ministry identified 29 substantive errors and 440 misplaced addresses in the original EBC report that necessitated rectification. “We have a duty to ensure that the report brought before Parliament was one of integrity,” she stated, detailing meetings with election officials throughout November to resolve these discrepancies.

The debate revealed broader political tensions, with Scotland questioning the necessity of name changes for districts experiencing minimal boundary adjustments while larger demographic shifts elsewhere went unaddressed. Tobago East MP David Thomas countered by recalling the previous administration’s expansion of Tobago electoral districts from 12 to 15 following a six-six tie in the Tobago House of Assembly elections, suggesting partisan motivations behind boundary changes.

Minister Ameen highlighted historical precedents where the former PNM government delayed EBC report submissions for nearly a year, accusing Scotland of “pure hypocrisy” in his criticisms. She affirmed that all adjustments were completed within legal timeframes to ensure the recommendations could be implemented for upcoming elections.

The order was ultimately passed by the House of Representatives, with THA Deputy Chief Secretary Dr. Faith Brebnor previously characterizing the changes as minor administrative adjustments rather than substantial electoral reforms.

The Trinidad and Tobago government faces mounting criticism from trade unions over its selective approach to back pay disbursements, with only Public Services Association (PSA) members receiving promised payments before Christmas. Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo confirmed on November 5 that no arrangements had been made for other unions to receive portions of the $3.8 billion in outstanding back pay owed to public sector workers.

The announcement has sparked outrage among union leaders representing thousands of workers. Contractors and General Workers Trade Union (CGWU) president Ermine De Bique-Meade expressed profound disappointment, accusing both Tancoo and Chief Personnel Officer Dr. Daryl Dindial of ‘playing games with the lives of workers.’ She revealed that members had made financial commitments based on previous assurances of pre-Christmas payments.

Similarly, TT Unified Teachers’ Association (TTUTA) president Crystal Ashe appealed directly to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar for intervention, questioning the government’s prioritization of PSA agreements finalized mere days before the December 2 announcement while leaving other unions waiting since April ratifications. Ashe emphasized that teachers, curriculum officers, and school supervisors are experiencing genuine financial hardship due to the protracted delays.

During Friday’s House of Representatives sitting, Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar reaffirmed her government’s commitment to the PSA agreement, promising a ten percent settlement and partial back pay distribution before Christmas. However, she notably omitted any mention of other trade unions’ outstanding agreements, leaving many workers facing what union leaders describe as a ‘bleak, blue Christmas’ despite previous government assurances.

In a significant move to strengthen law enforcement capabilities, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar presided over a ceremonial handover of refurbished police vehicles to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) on Friday. The event, attended by Deputy Commissioner of Police Junior Benjamin and other TTPS officials, marked the initial phase of an ambitious vehicle restoration initiative.

Upon assuming office last April, the newly formed government uncovered a startling reality: approximately 500 police vehicles sat idle across various locations in Trinidad, rendered inoperative due to minor mechanical issues. Some vehicles had been non-functional for months, while others had been gathering dust for years, primarily requiring basic repairs such as tire replacements, brake fixes, and other manageable mechanical adjustments.

This chronic shortage of operational resources had severely compromised the police service’s effectiveness in addressing criminal activities throughout the nation. In response to this critical situation, Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar issued directives for immediate action.

The Vehicle Maintenance Corporation (VMCOTT) launched an accelerated repair program that yielded remarkable results within just one week. The first batch of ten fully restored vehicles represents the initial installment of fifty vehicles scheduled to return to active service before the Christmas holiday period.

These revitalized vehicles will immediately reinforce frontline operations, enhancing the TTPS’s mobility and emergency response capabilities during the traditionally crime-prone Christmas season. During a parliamentary address on Friday evening, the Prime Minister revealed that the total value of the repaired vehicles amounts to $3 million, while the restoration costs totaled approximately $70,000—a fraction of their operational worth.

The government has reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to equipping the TTPS with necessary resources to ensure public safety. Beyond the anticipated delivery of forty additional refurbished vehicles before Christmas, projections indicate that over 100 more vehicles will be restored in the early new year. Simultaneously, VMCOTT is conducting similar repair operations for vehicles belonging to the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to national security infrastructure enhancement.