标签： Trinidad and Tobago

In a recent address to the Standing Finance Committee of the House of Representatives on October 21, Minister of the People, Social Development and Family Services Vandana Mohit emphasized the government’s unwavering commitment to prioritizing the welfare of the nation’s most vulnerable populations. Mohit underscored that every policy, program, and financial allocation is meticulously designed to empower and transform lives, particularly those of the poor, elderly, disabled, women, children, and families in crisis. Despite facing significant fiscal constraints, the ministry has remained steadfast in its focus on impactful expenditure rather than mere cost-cutting. In the previous fiscal year, the government invested over $4.5 billion in senior citizens’ grants, $267 million in public assistance, $79 million in disability grants, and $10 million in relief through the National Social Development Programme. Mohit highlighted that these efforts ensure no citizen is overlooked or unsupported. Looking ahead, the government plans to strengthen the social protection ecosystem by reviewing the standard means test to promote fairness and inclusion, modernizing delivery systems for greater efficiency, and enhancing collaboration with agencies like the Children’s Authority. The committee subsequently approved a budgetary allocation of $6,012,215,208 for the ministry. During the session, Mohit faced scrutiny from PNM MPs regarding the continuation of certain projects initiated under the previous administration. She assured that the government is actively considering these issues, while also addressing concerns about funding discrepancies for NGOs and the allocation of resources for women and children.

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 recent letter to the editor, concerns were raised about the United National Congress (UNC) government’s handling of fireworks regulations during the Divali celebrations. Despite their election slogan, ‘When UNC wins, everybody wins,’ the government has been criticized for its apparent inaction on the indiscriminate sale and use of fireworks, mirroring the previous administration’s approach. Phillip Alexander, a prominent supporter of the UNC, has been vocal in defending the government and criticizing the past administration’s shortcomings. However, the lack of effective enforcement of fireworks bans during the Independence holiday and Divali night has sparked public outrage. The letter highlights the adverse effects of the loud explosions on vulnerable populations, including the elderly, infants, autistic individuals, and those with noise sensitivities. The writer questions whether the UNC is truly different from the People’s National Movement (PNM) or merely a repackaged version of the same policies. The letter concludes by emphasizing the need for legislative reforms to promote responsible fireworks use, similar to practices in other Caribbean nations like Barbados.

A contentious meeting of the Standing Finance Committee in the House of Representatives unfolded on October 22, as government and opposition members clashed over the approval of a $1.8 billion expenditure for the Ministry of Tertiary Education and Skills Training. Minister Prof Prakash Persad defended the ministry’s budget, describing it as a ‘lean, small, and agile’ entity. He acknowledged the challenges of establishing baseline financial figures for the newly reconstituted ministry and hinted at potential mid-year funding adjustments if allocations proved insufficient. However, the meeting quickly devolved into a heated exchange over long-standing vacancies within the ministry. Opposition MP Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly pressed Persad for clarity on the number of unfilled positions, to which he responded that 126 out of 911 positions had been filled, attributing the disarray to the previous administration. The debate grew increasingly acrimonious, with MPs from both sides interjecting and Speaker Jagdeo Singh repeatedly calling for order. Persad denied evading questions, while Gadsby-Dolly accused him of providing inconsistent answers. The session highlighted the deep political divisions surrounding the ministry’s restructuring and financial management.