标签： Trinidad and Tobago

The Standing Finance Committee of Trinidad and Tobago’s House of Representatives witnessed intense disagreements during its budget deliberations on October 21 and 22, as opposition and government members clashed over time management and the handling of inquiries. Speaker Jagdeo Singh opened the October 22 session by acknowledging the committee’s poor performance the previous day, particularly in managing time effectively. Singh emphasized the need for a balanced approach, urging both sides to collaborate and streamline the process. He suggested that some questions could be addressed in writing to save time, citing Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles’s earlier request for written responses as an example. Leader of Government Business Barry Padarath defended the government, placing the blame squarely on the opposition for the delays and inefficiencies. However, Opposition Chief Whip Marvin Gonzales and Port of Spain North/St Ann’s West MP Stuart Young countered, accusing the government of evading questions and failing to provide clear answers. Young described the government’s responses as a ‘boldface refusal’ to address critical issues. Despite the tension, Singh called for a conciliatory spirit moving forward, and Gonzales pledged the opposition’s commitment to completing the budget review within the allotted five days. The committee approved expenditures for several public bodies without incident, but the heated exchanges underscored the deep political divide. The budget deliberations are set to conclude by October 25, with both sides vowing to continue their respective approaches.

As he celebrated his 76th birthday, former Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley expressed his support for a joint statement by ten former Caricom leaders, urging the Caribbean region to remain a zone of peace. The statement comes amid growing concerns over the United States’ military presence in the region and recent deadly maritime strikes targeting alleged drug traffickers off Venezuela’s coast, which have reportedly claimed the lives of Venezuelans and two Trinidad and Tobago nationals. Rowley criticized Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s decision not to endorse the statement, labeling it as ‘reckless’ and a ‘dangerous dereliction of duty.’ He emphasized Trinidad and Tobago’s historical leadership in regional unity and expressed disappointment in the current government’s stance. The joint statement, signed by former leaders from Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, and St. Lucia, calls for a reduction in military buildup to preserve peace and stability. It also reaffirms the region’s commitment to sovereignty and the rule of law, as established during the 1972 Chaguaramas meeting. The appeal coincides with the scheduled arrival of the USS Gravely, a U.S. warship, in Port of Spain for military exercises, raising concerns among international relations experts about potential U.S. intentions to influence Venezuelan politics.

The Standing Finance Committee meeting on October 24 turned into a heated debate as Housing Minister David Lee faced intense scrutiny from opposition MPs over significant budget cuts to his ministry. The session, held at the Red House, was temporarily suspended by Speaker Jagdeo Singh following a contentious exchange involving allegations of racism. The opposition questioned Lee about the ministry’s 2026 budget, which was reduced by nearly $100 million, from $684 million to $588 million. Diego Martin East MP Colm Imbert pressed Lee on how the ministry planned to hire staff despite the funding reduction, to which Lee jokingly replied, “We do magic.” Imbert retorted sarcastically, “Magic? Okay, thank you. Good answer.” Lee later clarified that the ministry currently has 92 positions, with 50 filled, 38 vacant, and four awaiting permanent appointments. He emphasized ongoing collaboration with the Public Service Commission to address staffing gaps and suggested supplementary funding or virements could be pursued if necessary. St Ann’s East MP Nyan Gadsby-Dolly questioned the drop in the ministry’s 2025 expenditure from $11 million to $9 million, probing whether personnel had left without replacement. Lee attributed the shortfall to Salaries Review Commission-related payments in the previous fiscal year. He also outlined broader housing budget allocations from 2024 to 2026, noting that $488.9 million would primarily service debt through the Housing Development Corporation (HDC), with only $32.4 million allocated for operational expenses. Imbert expressed concerns that the funding was insufficient to build new homes, questioning the HDC’s ability to deliver tangible housing outcomes. Lee defended the HDC’s self-sustaining model but acknowledged ongoing debates over profit and reinvestment priorities. The discussion also touched on aging HDC rental apartments, with Imbert highlighting the urgent need for maintenance. Lee assured that the agency would meet its obligations despite budget cuts, citing new procurement processes aimed at reducing corruption. Tensions flared further when MP Keith Scotland accused Lee of shutting down key public employment programmes in east Port of Spain. Lee vehemently denied the claim, stating, “East Port of Spain is not closed down.” The session reached a boiling point when MP Barry Padarath described the opposition’s behaviour as “hooliganism,” prompting Gadsby-Dolly to condemn the comment as racist. Speaker Singh suspended the sitting for ten minutes, urging MPs to reflect on decorum. Upon resumption, Singh ruled that both sides must withdraw their statements, restoring order to the proceedings.

Trinidad and Tobago’s political landscape has been thrown into disarray following Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s explosive allegations against the opposition People’s National Movement (PNM). In a statement on October 24, Persad-Bissessar accused the PNM of being financially supported by the local drug mafia, a claim the opposition has vehemently denied, labeling it as “baseless, reckless, and defamatory.” The PNM countered that the Prime Minister’s accusations were a desperate attempt to divert attention from her government’s failures and the growing public discontent with her leadership. The opposition further criticized her for refusing to address the nation during a period of heightened regional tensions with Venezuela, accusing her of adopting an erratic and isolationist foreign policy. The PNM emphasized its commitment to maintaining strong international relations, particularly with the United States, citing long-standing security agreements like the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) and the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative. In response, Persad-Bissessar doubled down on her claims, accusing the PNM of protecting drug traffickers and undermining national security. International relations expert Prof. Anthony Bryan weighed in, describing the Prime Minister’s language as “strong and defamatory,” and potentially libelous given the lack of evidence. The ongoing feud has further polarized the nation, with citizens demanding accountability and transparency from their leaders amidst economic instability and rising hardships.