标签： Trinidad and Tobago

During a meeting of the Standing Finance Committee of the House of Representatives on October 23, Port of Spain North/St Ann’s West MP Stuart Young raised critical questions regarding the allocation of funds for small guest houses and the regulation of the scrap metal industry. Young directed his inquiries to Trade, Investment, and Tourism Minister Satyakama Maharaj, emphasizing the potential of small guest houses to generate foreign exchange revenues for Trinidad and Tobago (TT). He questioned whether the $1.5 million allocated to the ministry was adequate to support these establishments, particularly given the rising costs of imported materials due to recent tariffs. Maharaj responded by outlining the ministry’s targeted approach to hotel development, citing ongoing projects such as Tradewinds in San Fernando and Crews Inn in Chaguaramas. He also mentioned efforts to attract private sector investment, including potential collaborations with foreign hotel chains like Best Western. However, Young expressed concerns that the current funding might not suffice for smaller guest houses seeking assistance throughout the year. On the topic of the scrap metal industry, Young inquired about the adequacy of the $400,000 budget for regulatory measures, recalling past efforts to curb criminal activities in the sector. Maharaj assured that the allocated funds would be sufficient, with additional support available if needed. The minister also highlighted the ministry’s broader mission to diversify the economy and strengthen the non-energy sector through strategic planning and robust management.

The recent appointment of Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh as Chief Justice has sparked significant controversy, with concerns raised about the legitimacy and transparency of the process. The Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago (LATT) and former independent senator Martin Daly SC have both criticized the hastened and truncated consultation process.

Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles has voiced concerns over the lack of adequate consultation in the appointment of the new Chief Justice, Ronnie Boodoosingh. Speaking to the media outside the Red House in Port of Spain on October 24, Beckles emphasized that her objections were not about Boodoosingh’s qualifications but rather the rushed timeline of the process. She highlighted that a letter with errors was presented at 6:30 PM while she was in Parliament, corrections were sought by 8:30 AM the next morning, and the appointment was finalized by 2 PM the same day. Beckles described this as insufficient consultation, though she acknowledged Boodoosingh’s competence, noting his background as an ethics teacher at the University of the West Indies (UWI). Boodoosingh was sworn in by acting president Wade Mark on October 22. The Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago also raised concerns about the expedited and abbreviated process leading to his appointment.

The Standing Finance Committee of the House of Representatives witnessed heated exchanges between government and opposition MPs on October 23 as they deliberated on the 2025/2026 budget. The focus of the debate centered on the allocation of $285,517,600 for the Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism, alongside contentious discussions on expenditure for planting poui trees and the termination of the Cepep program. Trade, Investment and Tourism Minister Kama Maharaj outlined a $1 million initiative to beautify highways by planting poui trees, drawing parallels to similar projects in Japan involving cherry blossoms. He suggested involving volunteers and school children in the effort, prompting Port of Spain South MP Keith Scotland to question whether children would be paid for their participation. Scotland also criticized the government for dismissing former Cepep workers who could have been retained for such initiatives, leading to tense exchanges in the chamber. Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo had previously announced the termination of Cepep and URP in his October 13 budget presentation, proposing a $475 million Employment Fund to replace these programs with full-time, better-paid jobs. Social Development Minister Vandana Mohit and Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath indicated that former Cepep workers could apply for jobs through the National Recruitment Drive. Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles raised concerns about potential political patronage in the new unemployment fund, questioning its fairness and transparency.