标签： Trinidad and Tobago

The Trinidad and Tobago Transparency Institute (TTTI) has voiced strong objections to the recent decision to re-align the Anti-Corruption Investigations Bureau (ACIB) under the Office of the Attorney General. The move, which was announced through a subsequent erratum after being omitted from the initial gazette notice, has sparked concerns over potential political interference and the erosion of public trust in anti-corruption efforts. The ACIB, tasked with investigating corruption-related offenses such as bribery and misconduct in public office, has faced instability and resource shortages in recent years. TTTI highlighted that the bureau’s repeated shifts in oversight—from the Attorney General’s office to the Commissioner of Police and back—have compromised its operational effectiveness and independence. The institute argued that placing the ACIB under the Attorney General creates a conflict of interest, as the government would oversee investigations into its own members. Similarly, placing it under the Commissioner of Police raises concerns about bias, given that police officers are also subject to corruption allegations. TTTI described the re-alignment as a ‘regressive step’ and urged the government to adopt recommendations from a 2015 parliamentary committee report, which proposed establishing the ACIB as a fully independent entity. The institute emphasized the need for specialized resources, such as forensic accountants and cybercrime experts, and called for protected, non-political funding to ensure the bureau’s autonomy and impartiality.

Former Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley has called on the current government to disclose the specifics of the six-month OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control) license obtained from the United States to negotiate a Dragon gas deal with Venezuela. Rowley emphasized that withholding such details could pose significant risks to Trinidad and Tobago, potentially endangering the future of its children. His statement came on October 10, following Attorney General John Jeremie’s announcement that the government had secured the license on October 8 to engage in negotiations with Venezuela. Jeremie clarified that the license, issued under specific executive orders, permits employees, affiliates, contractors, and service providers of TT, NGC, Shell PLC, and Futura Clara Ltd to conduct transactions with Venezuela’s state-owned energy company, PDVSA. However, Jeremie did not elaborate on the terms of the arrangement, only noting that it differed from the approach taken by the previous PNM administration. While the former government sought to license the entire project, the current administration has adopted a “tiered approach,” with the license extending until April 2026. Jeremie also highlighted that the license was secured at a cost of less than half a million dollars, a stark contrast to the PNM’s expenditure of over $120 million, which yielded no results after two years. Rowley criticized the government for not engaging directly with Venezuela, as his administration had done, and accused the current leadership of mismanagement and negligence since 2016. He also questioned the government’s reliance on Shell to negotiate the deal, expressing concerns about who would protect Trinidad and Tobago’s interests in the process. Rowley warned that the government’s handling of the matter could jeopardize the nation’s economic future, particularly its energy sector, and called for greater transparency and accountability.

Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander has called on prison officers to maintain their integrity amidst rising concerns about contraband smuggling within correctional facilities. Speaking during an interview with Newsday on October 10 at the Brian Lara Promenade in Port of Spain, Alexander emphasized the ministry’s efforts to address the issue of illegal drones, though he refrained from disclosing specific details about the technology being considered to combat the problem.

Alexander stressed that integrity is an inherent quality, rooted in one’s upbringing and family values. He urged officers not to allow their integrity to be questioned or undermined by baseless allegations. While acknowledging potential flaws in the prison service vetting process, he expressed confidence in the existing system, noting that individuals may sometimes be compromised due to personal circumstances.

Reflecting on a lesson from his mother, Alexander shared, “She always told me, ‘You have $20 in your pocket: make it work for you. Once you start taking things from people, you’ll have to bow to them.’”

In the short term, Alexander aims to enhance safety and conditions within penal institutions. He highlighted ongoing physical improvements to prisons, including cleaning efforts, and reiterated plans to relocate the Port of Spain Prison to a more suitable location. The current facility, he noted, is overcrowded and poorly situated in a busy business and residential district.

Alexander also addressed the recent multi-million-dollar quarry raid in Manuel Congo, Guanapo, commending the police for their efforts while acknowledging minor issues within the service. He urged the public to trust the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) and support their crime-fighting initiatives.

Regarding his budget priorities, Alexander expressed hope that all agencies under his purview would receive the necessary resources to function effectively.

In a tense session of the House of Representatives on October 10, Defence Minister Wayne Sturge invoked standing order 27(g) to sidestep an urgent question from the opposition regarding the abrupt termination of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Darryl Daniel. The query, posed by Arouca/Lopinot MP Marvin Gonzales, sought clarity on the reasons behind Daniel’s removal, particularly in light of the ongoing state of emergency in Trinidad and Tobago. Sturge’s decision to decline answering, citing public interest, sparked a heated exchange among lawmakers. Gonzales, the opposition chief whip, emphasized the importance of parliamentary accountability, while House Leader Barry Padarath defended Sturge’s right to invoke the standing order. Speaker Jagdeo Singh noted that while the standing orders permit ministers to withhold information deemed contrary to public interest, they do not grant the Speaker authority to challenge such claims. The Ministry of Defence had earlier stated that President Christine Kangaloo revoked Daniel’s appointment on the advice of Sturge, following consultations with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar. The decision, described as the result of extensive deliberations, assured that the operational effectiveness of the defence force would remain unaffected. Daniel, who served as CDS since March 2019, was succeeded by Coast Guard Commander Captain Don Polo, the next most senior officer with two years left in service.

In a significant diplomatic and economic breakthrough, Trinidad and Tobago has secured a six-month Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) license to resume negotiations with Venezuela on the Dragon gas project. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Energy Minister Dr. Roodal Moonilal have both hailed this development as a testament to the government’s dedication and diplomatic efforts. Persad-Bissessar emphasized that the license, granted following her productive discussions with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, marks a fresh start for the project, which had been stalled for years. She highlighted the mutual benefits for Trinidad and Tobago, the US, and Venezuela, describing the agreement as a win for regional partnership, energy security, and economic growth. Moonilal, in a separate statement, pointed out that the previous OFAC license had been revoked under the former administration, costing taxpayers over $120 million. He refuted claims by former Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley that the figure was $100 million. The renewed negotiations, facilitated by the OFAC license, aim to ensure that the project advances without breaching US sanctions, with specific terms in place to benefit all parties involved, including US companies and the people of Venezuela.