Category Archives: Politics

Finance, General T&T, Media, People's Partnership, PNM, Politics, Recession

No need for outside help

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Experts on Imbert’s IMF, World Bank move

By Shaliza Hassanali
Saturday, April 23, 2016 – guardian.co.tt

Colm ImbertThere was no need for Minister of Finance Colm Imbert to engage officials of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank to provide advice on T&T’s fiscal policy.

This was the view yesterday of developmental economist Dr Ralph Henry and former minister in the ministry of finance Mariano Browne, following Imbert’s announcement on Thursday that World Bank officials are in T&T to assist and advise the Government on pressing matters, including a review of expenditure in all key areas.
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Finance, General T&T, PNM, Politics, Recession

E-shopping levy not a right click

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Newsday Editorial
April 13, 2016 – newsday.co.tt

Online ShoppingTHE GOVERNMENT is proposing a seven percent levy on online purchases. Shoppers have described the move as unfair, but Minister of Finance Colm Imbert has defended it, saying it would ease foreign exchange pressures, reduce revenue leakage, and divert buyers to local products. But not so. The levy is one tax too many.
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Finance, Food, General T&T, Health, Politics, Recession

Descent into imports-dependence

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By Raffique Shah
April 05, 2016
Posted: April 10, 2016

Raffique ShahWhat I established last week was that Trinidad and Tobago, like most small island states that were once colonised by imperial powers, relies heavily on imported foods for its sustenance.

All our staples-grains (wheat, rice, maize), dairy products (milk, cheese, butter), sugar, edible oils, white potatoes, beans and pulses-come from abroad, mainly North America, the EU, Australia and New Zealand.
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Finance, General T&T, Health, Media, PNM, Politics, Recession, Recession

Grow up, take responsibility

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Deyalsingh’s tough message after austere mid-term budget

By Adrian Boodan
Sunday, April 10, 2016 – guardian.co.tt

Terrence DeyalsinghIt’s time that nationals grow up and take some responsibility for T&T, says Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh.

Deyalsingh was at the time fielding questions from the media when he attended a health and fitness fair hosted by the Couva Point Lisas Chamber of Commerce, on Saturday, at the Chamber’s building at Camden Road.
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Finance, General T&T, Media, Parliament, PNM, Politics, Recession

Online shoppers: 7% tax unfair

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By JANELLE DE SOUZA
April 10, 2016 – newsday.co.tt

Online ShoppingThe seven percent levy on online purchases of goods and services scheduled to take effect by September will probably not slow down online shopping simply because local prices are too high.

Some regular online shoppers to overseas retail companies questioned the move by the Government to further tax online shoppers as they already pay a 20 percent duty and Value Added Tax on these items when they arrive in the country.
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General T&T, Media, PNM, Politics, Recession

NEW BENZ FOR PM*

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Office of the Prime Minister orders $2 million vehicle for Rowley’s fleet…

Published on Apr 3, 2016, 12:01 am AST
By Anna Ramdass and Camille Hunte

Prie Minister Dr Keith RowleyA new Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W222) valued at $2 million has been purchased for the official use of Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley.

The Sunday Express understands the vehicle was acquired through local dealer Sterling Services (Battoo Brothers) Ltd and was at the company’s Sackville Street, Port of Spain, garage up to yesterday, being customised for official use.
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General T&T, Parliament, PNM, Politics

Manning knocks MPs hiring relatives

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Not worthy of public office

By Rhondor Dowlat
April 01, 2016 – guardian.co.tt

Patrick ManningFormer prime minister of T&T Patrick Manning believes that politicians who are guilty of hiring relatives at their respective constituency offices are not worthy of public office.

Manning made a statement via his Facebook page on Wednesday night.

He disclosed that in all his 44 years as a Parliamentarian, he has never employed a family member or relative in his constituency office.
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General T&T, Law, Media, Parliament, Politics, UNC

Getting serious with errant MPs

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Express Editorial
March 20, 2016, 9:49 pm AST – trinidadexpress.com

ParliamentIT is disingenuous for Members of Parliament to be offering to refund salaries paid to relatives in breach of parliamentary rules, to quibble over definitions of employment, to suggest that new rules should not affect old behaviour or to dismiss them as mere guidelines. The fact that one of those MPs is Wade Mark, former speaker of the House under whom the parliamentary rules regarding employment at MPs constituency offices were reviewed and changed before being implemented in the current term, is scandalous.
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General T&T, Opposition Party, Parliament, PNM, Politics, UNC

Padarath to repay Parliament $60,000 for hiring relative

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By Gail Alexander
Sunday, March 20, 2016 – guardian.co.tt

ParliamentApart from Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar, two other Opposition UNC MPs had relatives employed at their respective constituency offices in this current parliamentary term, and a third UNC MP still has a “distant” relative employed.

They are Princes Town MP Barry Padarath, Caroni Central MP Dr Bhoe Tewarie and Mayaro MP Rushton Paray.
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General T&T, ILP, Opposition Party, Parliament, PNM, Politics, UNC

KAMLA MUST GO TOO

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Opposition Leader accused of hiring relatives at Siparia constituency office

By Ria Taitt
March 19, 2016 – trinidadexpress.com

Kamla Persad-BissessarAllegations of a breach of the Parliament rules against the hiring of relatives gathered momentum yesterday with fresh claims that Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar has broken the rules too.

Reports surfaced yesterday that Persad-Bissessar has employed two of her relatives at her Siparia constituency office for well over a decade.
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