April 21, 2016: The Minister of Energy and Energy Industries, the Honourable Nicole Olivierre delivered the feature address at the Sangre Grande Regional Outreach Event hosted by the Trinidad and Tobago Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (TTEITI). The event which took place on April 20 was held at the North Eastern Community Centre, Lantana Terrace, Duranta Gardens, Sangre Grande.

The following are her remarks:  

Introduction

It gives me great pleasure to be here today for this TTEITI outreach event in Sangre Grande. I recall in September, last year, giving my maiden speech as Minister at the launch of the latest Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) report. I promised then to visit communities and help spread the word on the benefits of the EITI and I am therefore heartened and honoured to address you today in Sangre Grande.

Last September, I stated that the Government will always remain committed to transparency and sound governance of our extractive sectors and by supporting EITI implementation we are living up to our word. We will throw our support behind any initiative that strengthens transparency around energy and mining revenues in the country. And, the EITI, is the global gold standard for resource revenue transparency.
Our EITI Reports help unearth critical information on taxes paid by extractive companies that were not previously available in the public domain. It also offers valuable contextual information on our extractive sectors and helps citizens to better understand these sectors that are the cornerstone of our national economy.

The EITI Report provides a pillar for a detailed level of revenue scrutiny and importantly also shows that Government, companies and civil society can work together towards a common cause – in this case, transparency around just how much we receive from companies operating in the extractive sectors whether oil, gas or mining.

Given the precipitous decline in the price of energy commodities, keeping an eye on revenue from the extractive sectors is an important and necessary exercise. For the people of Sangre Grande and environs, and, by environs I include Valencia and Toco and other towns in the North East, the mining sector is the most visible extractive sector. I don’t want us to lose sight of the positive impact of mining on national development as aggregate mined a few miles from here is used for construction works and other infrastructure projects throughout Trinidad and Tobago.

But we must also be mindful of the need to strike a balance and ensure that best practices in rehabilitation and environmental management are the norm and that value is created in a socially and environmentally sustainable way from our finite mineral resources. We must ask ourselves if we are benefitting as much as we should from this extraction. Here is where regulation comes in.

As noted earlier, the recent Minerals Act Regulations give my Ministry greater powers to oversee the mining sector and ensure that companies pay their just due, comply with our environmental laws and appoint competent staff. Having structured regulatory oversight of the mining sector could only benefit the country and by extension residents of our North Eastern communities, especially as it relates to generating revenue from the sector, and the extractive companies themselves.

Revenue Generation

It is front page news that we are living in challenging economic times. The Government must therefore be vigilant in ensuring we capture all of the financial benefits from the mining sector. When I look at the revenue numbers on the mining sector contribution to State revenue, I ask myself, if what we get is fair and equitable? And, is there room for us to improve revenue collection?

A review of the figures shows that, in the last decade between 2003 and 2015, Government has collected only $18.5 million in royalties. This is clearly inadequate given the scale of the mining sector and the 2014 Green Paper on Minerals Policy alluded to the under-reporting of production and royalty payments from the sector.

The paper revealed that between 2001 and 2013 only 10 percent of the royalties due were collected. The report said and I quote, “This represents a loss of revenue to the State of approximately TT $120 million in royalty payments, and does not include the loss of revenue from royalties for production not accounted for and from illegal mining (quarrying) as well as revenues from other sources such as: Taxes, Business Levy and Green Fund Levy over the period 2001 to 2013.”

As citizens, you will agree with me that this is not good enough. We must reverse this trend in the mining sector and quickly; especially given the details on our financial position laid bare by the Minister of Finance two weeks ago during the mid-year review of the economy.

Now that the Ministry is armed with new regulations, we must find the means and the strength to apply these regulations; continue to clamp down on illegal quarrying and ensure that we get our just revenues from the 42 licensed operators in the sector. We would be cheating the citizens and the government by allowing business as usual and not trying to progressively monitor this important sector and force compliance. Together, we have to get it done.

The EITI offers many good models for us to adopt or adapt in adding another layer of audit and assurance to reporting on our mining sector revenues. For instance, when we look at the example of Ghana, we see the influence of the EITI in inspiring several policy reforms. The Ghana EITI Report recommended the review of the fiscal regime under which the mining industry operates and the development of guidelines for the utilisation of mineral royalties at the sub-national level. Ghana’s Parliament subsequently approved land reform for the sector and changes to the royalty rates and capital allowance recovery regime. In fact, during the EITI Global Conference in Peru in February 2016, Ghana was awarded the EITI Chair’s Award for these accomplishments.

As I said before, I am committed to supporting the TTEITI’s work and would welcome its playing a similar role in promoting reforms in Trinidad and Tobago. I fully endorse a Pilot Study they will undertake in the near future to begin reporting on revenues from some of the larger mining companies (Asphalt and Quarries).

It is a project I will be following closely and I encourage the companies approached to give it their full support. Just as in the example of Ghana, the benefits are clear. In the long term, it is only right for us to enshrine the EITI in the legislative framework of the country and I am currently reviewing the Draft EITI Agency Bill before it goes to Cabinet and is exposed to public consultation and then to Parliament.
I pledge my support for this legislation because it would lead to better monitoring of our extractive sectors (oil, gas and mining). Mining companies need not be afraid of EITI implementation. This initiative provides extra assurance for your companies, my Ministry and the citizens of the North East and the wider citizenry. We must never look at the future with eyes of fear.

Conclusion

Looking back, this town Sangre Grande has a storied history. This town blossomed when cocoa was king; provided the link between Arima and the North East via rail in 1897 and even benefitted from the opening of the air-base in Cumuto during World War II. The town has now transitioned to being a hub of activity for the services and mining sector.

It is only correct then that the areas such as Sangre Grande, Valencia and environs benefit from the aggregate that is mined and used across the nation for construction of our homes, commercial buildings and other infrastructure projects. Anything less will be a betrayal of the people of this area. My Ministry is committed to striking the correct balance; the balance between return on investment, capturing revenue due to government and driving regional growth while also protecting the environment so that future generations are left with an inheritance that is their birthright. Improved regulation of the mining sector is part of this legacy.

History records that, during the opening ceremony for the first train ride to Sangre Grande, then cocoa plantation magnate, Aucher Warner, said, “A great period of prosperity is about to dawn. For those who do not know, in a circle about me lie some of the finest cocoa plantations of this island. As a result, this place is bound to become an important inland town – a centre of commerce and labour for the whole of the north-eastern region.” Cocoa is no longer king but mining is an option that offers future prosperity to this region. By efficiently regulating the mining sector, and the three stakeholders (government, companies and citizens) working together, we hope to ensure that Mr. Warner’s vision becomes a reality today.

I thank you.

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For further information please contact:

The Corporate Communications Unit

Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries

868-624-6147

April 21, 2016: The Honourable Anthony Garcia, Minister of Education, is assuring hundreds of secondary school track and field athletes that his Ministry will continue to work diligently to provide as many opportunities as possible, through sports, to enable them to realise their true potential. He said, “We at the Ministry of Education, stand committed to providing opportunities, so that our students can develop to their full potential. Our aim, in the Ministry, is to provide excellence in education; and track and field must form an integral part of the educational offerings that we have at our Ministry.”

Minister Garcia was speaking at the official launch of the two day Annual Secondary Schools National Track and Field Championships 2016 which is being held on Wednesday 20^th and Thursday 21^st, April, 2016 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium. The event is hosted jointly by the Ministry of Education and The Secondary Schools National Track and Field Association.

Minister Garcia also expressed confidence that secondary school athletes will excel in track and field events at the Championships, which he said bodes well for the nation’s long term Olympic goal of winning ten gold medals in the 2024 Olympics, “I am sure that excellence will prevail in everything that you do. It is important that we focus and we have uppermost in our minds, on performance and what our performance will mean to all of us because, as you know, our goal is by the 2024 Olympics, that Trinidad and Tobago athletes would be able to bring home, at least ten gold medals. And today, this event could be deemed as the start of that journey and I’m sure that when 2014 meets us, we will be able to achieve these goals. I’m certain about that.”

Minister Garcia further said he believed that the future of track and field in the country is bright and that all of the athletes participating in the Games are winners. Over one hundred (100) schools and over three hundred (300) athletes will be participating in the Championships.

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For further information please contact:

The Corporate Communications Division

Ministry of Education

868-628-1581 

April 21, 2016: The Central Statistical Office is pleased to announce the release of the Index of Retail Prices for the month of March 2016. The information is based on data collected in the survey of retail prices during the month of March 2016.

Index of Retail Prices

The Index (All Items) was 103.3 in March 2016 from 103.4 which was recorded in the previous month (February 2016) as shown in the table below.

The Index for Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages decreased from 109.6 in February 2016 to 108.6 in March 2016, reflecting a decrease of 0.9%. Contributing significantly to this decrease was the general downward movement in the prices of pumpkin; bodi; apple; spinach; tomatoes; callalloo bush; canned sardines; cucumber; onions; and garlic. However, the full impact of these price decreases was offset by the general increase in the prices of fresh sea food; eddoes; pork ham; fresh duck; edible oils; melongene; dried, salted or smoked pork; biscuits; dried pigeon peas; and fresh pork.

A further review of the data for March 2016 compared with February 2016 reflected an increase in the sub-indices for Clothing and Footwear of 0.4% and Health of 0.8%. However decreases were noted in the sub-indices for Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco of 0.4%.

Inflation Rate

The Inflation Rate for March 2016 (measured as the percentage change in the Index for January to March 2016/January to March 2015) was 3.0%. This represents an increase from 2.9% which was recorded in the previous period (January to February 2016/January to February 2015)

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For further information please contact:

The Director of Statistics

Central Statistical Office

868-624-7001, 868-623-4315 or 868-625-2406

cso.planning.gov.tt

April 22, 2016: The Honourable Anthony Garcia, Minister of Education visited three (3) schools in the South Eastern District on Tuesday 20th April, 2014.

Minister Garcia met with teachers and students of the Moruga Government Secondary School, Cowen Hamilton Secondary School and St Mary’s Government Primary School. Teachers had the opportunity to express some of the challenges facing them at their respective schools and also offered possible solutions. One of the major issues facing the teachers at the Cowen Hamilton Secondary School is the underpayment of some of the teaching staff. Some teachers explained that even though they went through the necessary process and their qualifications have been updated, they are still being paid as Assistant Teachers when they should be afforded graduate status. The Minister promised to “deal with this issue, as a matter of urgency.”

At the Moruga Government Secondary School, Minister Garcia addressed the staff and encouraged them to be role models for the students that follow. He spoke of plans to further develop the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) component in the school, and at the St Mary’s Government Primary School, students showcased their diverse talent with performances by the school’s steelband and choir, as well as moko jumbies.

Minister Garcia said he learned a lot from his interaction with both the students and teachers during his visit, and expressed his commitment to further develop schools in the South Eastern District and his intention to make certain that the required facilities are in place to ensure that quality education is provided for all. He said that, “Moruga is a rural community and at the level of the Ministry of Education, we are going to do everything to ensure that all those who reside in this area are afforded the same opportunities as those students in urban areas.”

Minister Garcia was accompanied by the Honourable Dr. Lovell Francis, Minister of State in the Ministry of Education; Ms. Natasha Barrow, Permanent Secretary (Ag); Mr. Harrilal Seecharan, Chief Education Officer; senior officials of the Ministry of Education and members of the Moruga/ Tableland Constituency Office.

For further information please contact:
Ministry of Education
18 Alexandra Street, St. Clair,
Port of Spain, Trinidad
Phone: 1-868-628-1581/622-1088 Fax: 1-868-628-2088

April 22, 2016: Chief Secretary Orville London has addressed concerns over the financial status of the Tobago House of Assembly. At the April 20^th post Executive Council Media Briefing held at the Administrative Complex, Calder Hall, London said issues with the THA’s finances arose because the Assembly has not yet received its full parliamentary allocation from Central Government for this quarter.

“The funding was received the middle of this month,” London explained, “and we received one month of funding under the recurrent and under a month and a half funding under the development vote.”

The Chief Secretary said Finance Secretary, THA, Mr. Joel Jack has discussed the matter with the Ministry of Finance and provided an update. “The reasons are similar to the reasons that were put forward during the midterm review,” London stated. “The government is operating in a scenario where they can only spend what they collect with the unavailability of the $9 billion overdraft; the government has no flexibility and therefore only what it collects, it can spend.”

Mr. London said the Ministry of Finance has stated that the Assembly should receive the outstanding portion of its allocation within the next four weeks.

For further information please contact:

Department of Information

Office of the Chief Secretary

Tobago House of Assembly

639-3421 ext. 5019

April 22, 2016: The Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC) will host a ceremony to mark the installation of lights on the Massahood Recreation Ground on Tuesday April 26th, 2016 at 5:30 p.m., under the Public Lighting Programme.

The Minister of Public Utilities, the Honourable Brigadier General (Retired) Ancil Antoine, will address the audience at the ground, located Off LP #12 Avocat Main Road, Fyzabad.

The Member of Parliament for Fyzabad, Dr. Lackram Bodoe, along with T&TEC’s Chairman, Mr. Keith Sirju are also expected to attend and deliver remarks.

The Public Lighting Programme is now in its 11th year and has benefitted thousands of citizens in over 100 communities, with over 300 public facilities (recreation grounds, parks, and courts) illuminated to date.

Members of the media are invited to cover this ceremony.

For more information please contact:
Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission
#63 Federick Street,
Port of Spain
Tel: 623-2611 or 623-6291

April 22, 2016: Please be advised that the 2nd public meeting of the Joint Select Committee on State Enterprises will take place on Monday April 25th, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. in the J. Hamilton Maurice Room, Mezzanine Floor, Tower D, The Port-of-Spain International Waterfront Centre, #1A Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain.

From 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the Committee will reconvene its discussions with officials from the Petroleum Company of Trinidad and Tobago (PETROTRIN) as an inquiry continues into the management and operations of the company.

Members of the JSC on State Enterprises are:
i. Mr. David Small (Independent Senator), Chairman
ii. Dr. Lester Henry (Senator), Vice-Chairman
iii. Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Ancil Antoine, MP
iv. Mr. Adrian Leonce, MP
v. Mrs. Cherrie-Ann Crichlow-Cockburn, MP
vi. Mr. Fazal Karim, MP
vii. Ms. Allyson Baksh (Senator)
viii. Mr. Wade Mark (Senator)

We would appreciate if you would send a representative to cover this meeting, which will be televised live on the Parliament Channel 11 and Parliament Radio 105.5 FM.

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For further information please contact:

The Corporate Communications Unit

The Parliament of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

868-624-7275 Ext. 2318 or 2520.

April 22, 2016: The issue of making outstanding payments to suppliers is a major priority for the Tobago House of Assembly (THA). THA Chief Secretary, Orville London made this assurance at the post Executive Council media briefing on April 20.

London met with the Tobago Chapter of the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce to discuss this and other issues. He said the THA is aware of the situation and working to rectify it.

“There are commitments which I am aware are months overdue,” London said. “…Today I met with the Executive Council and the Secretaries also share that commitment to get that situation rectified as a matter of urgency.”

The Chief Secretary said the THA Administrators and other officials have been instructed to making payment commitments a priority. He said he hopes the situation will improve in the next two weeks. London has also urged suppliers to provide the relevant documentation related to their outstanding payments.

For further information please contact:

The Department of Information

Office of the Chief Secretary

Tobago House of Assembly

868-639-3421 ext. 5019

Aprill 22, 2016: Congratulations to the newly selected Advisory Town Planning Panel, who received their instruments of appointment on April 20th, 2016. The board, in accordance with the Town and Country Planning Act Chapter 35:01 was established for advising the Minister on any matter within their knowledge or on which the Minister may seek advice.

From a policy level the board has a key stake in the spatial development and therefore impacts meaningfully on the Ministry of Planning and Development’s mandate towards national development. The newly appointed Chairman, Ms Lynn Hiliare assured all present of her competence and willingness to do the work that is ahead, understanding that it is not an easy task and extended this position to represent other appointed members.

The full panel includes:

• Ms Lynn Hilaire –Chairman
• Ms Nathalie Atkinson
• Mr Jamel Reid
• Ms Gitanjalie Gopeesingh
• Mr Micheal Jerome Keens-Dumas – Representative from the Tobago House of Assembly (THA)

To the above mentioned, Mrs Camille Robinson- Regis, Minister of Planning and Development projected the ground breaking work the task of the board promises to bring to the development of Trinidad and Tobago, and the selfless service of the position . She emphasised that one of the critiques of our governance model over the past few years, was “the apparent penchant for ad hoc decision making, and the creation of policy on the hoof.” She goes on to mention that equity and equality must be ensured at all levels, especially as land use and space is important to ensure environmental sustainability and structurally enriching regulated space of our Small Island State.

Also present at the ceremony were the Ministry of Planning and Development’s Permanent Secretary Mrs. Joanne Deoraj and Mrs Ayleen Ovid, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry.

For further information please contact:

The Communications Department

Ministry of Planning and Development

868-627-9700

April 22, 2016: The Ministry of Education and the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Union (TTUTA) have reached an agreement to ensure the effective and smooth execution of the Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) 2016. The assurance comes from the Honourable Anthony Garcia, Minister of Education at a news conference held on Wednesday 20^th April, 2016 at the Ministry’s Head Office in St. Clair. According to Minister Garcia, the agreement does not violate a decision taken at TTUTA’s Annual Conference of Delegates, where teachers were told that the supervision of National Examinations is not part of their job description, and it does not fall within theirTerms and Conditions of Services.

He says it is the responsibility of the Ministry of Education to ensure that all students who will be writing the examination on May 5^th, 2016 do so without any unnecessary burden,“When this was communicated to us, we felt that we had an obligation as the Ministry of Education, to the parents, teachers in the system, students, and to one of our major stakeholders TTUTA, to find some way of compromise, some way of erecting bridges, instead of having division.”

Also speaking at the news conference, TTUTA’s President Devanand Sinanan praised Minister Garcia for his approach in engaging the Association on a wide range of issues in the education sector. He said, “The Minister of Education did contact yours truly and he expressed his concern that he would not like anything to disrupt the smooth running of SEA 2016 and he invited us to sit with him and engage in dialogue and discussion with a view to finding a common ground, which will not compromise the decision of our highest decision making body in TTUTA.”

The agreement made with TTUTA is as follows:

1.     The Supervision of the SEA 2016 Examination by teachers will be on a voluntary basis.

2.     Vice Principals and Senior Teachers will be required to go to other centres, but those teachers who volunteer to supervise on that day, will remain in their schools.

3.     Those teachers who are not involved in the supervision of the SEA Examination can remain at home.

4.     Those members of staff who supervise the SEA Examination will be given a subsequent day off.

5.      The Principal, in collaboration with the School Supervisors, will prepare the roster for the school.

6.     There will be further discussions between the Association and the Ministry of Education to reach a permanent agreement.

According to Minister Garcia, the Ministry of Education sought the advice of the Chief Personnel Officer (CPO) on this matter and was advised that stakeholders input must be considered in the process of ensuring the smooth administration of the SEA exams, thus the process was above board.

Discussions on a permanent arrangement for the supervision of National Examinations will be reactivated following the completion of this year’s SEA.

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For further information please contact:

The Corporate Communications Division

Ministry of Education

868-628-1581 

April 25, 2016: The Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago joined the global community in commemorating Earth Day on April 22nd, 2016. Earth Day is celebrated on April 22nd annually, marking the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement in the 1970s. The movement gave a voice to emerging environmental consciousness, and channelled human energy towards bringing prevailing environmental issues such as pollution, use of pesticides and biodiversity loss to the forefront.

Earth Day mobilises millions of people around the world to take action to support environmental protection. It has become the largest observance in the world, celebrated in an effort to encourage changes in human behaviour and provoke policy reforms. The theme for Earth Day 2016 is “Trees for the Earth!” With over 15 billion trees lost each year from deforestation, land development and poor forest management, Earth Day 2016 focuses on encouraging persons worldwide to plant trees.

Trees, and forests in general, are important because they help fight climate change and air pollution by providing climate regulation and sequestering (capturing) carbon dioxide emissions which are a major greenhouse gas. They also provide habitats for wildlife and provide essential ecosystem services such as flood control, watershed protection, and food and water provision, soil erosion protection to name a few essential for human survival. Additionally, trees support communities, their local economies and livelihoods.

The theme of Earth Day 2016 placed emphasis on regions of the world most affected by deforestation. This is particularly pertinent to Trinidad and Tobago considering that country is well-endowed with rich forest ecosystems covering approximately over 250,000 hectares of our land area. These consist of various types such as evergreen seasonal forest, semi-evergreen seasonal forest, deciduous seasonal forest, dry evergreen forest, montane forest, mangrove forest, herbaceous swamp, palm marsh and marsh forest.

Our forests provide habitats for a great variety of animal and plant species that enables our country to have one of the highest levels of biodiversity of all the Caribbean islands. Furthermore, this country’s forest resources are of paramount importance to all sectors of society. Nowhere is this more relevant, than in our rural communities where hunting, logging, craft, tour guiding and other nature-based recreational activities contribute significantly to local economies.

However, there are several causes of forest loss and degradation in Trinidad and Tobago such as forest fires, infrastructural development, unsustainable land use and illegal logging as well as overharvesting of forest products. In light of the importance of trees and forests towards the protection of the environment and to sustainable development, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago has pursued various policy and legislative measures as well as activities to ensure the conservation and protection of our forests.

Trinidad and Tobago has one of the earliest records of formal protection of forests with the establishment of the first Forest Reserve in the Western Hemisphere in Tobago’s Main Ridge in 1765. Under the Forests Act (Chap. 66:01 of 1915) a number of prohibited areas in Trinidad and Tobago are designated which restricts entry for set periods of time of the year (e.g. at certain nesting beaches during sea turtle nesting season from 01 March to 31 August), or throughout the year (e.g. Aripo Savannas) to ensure the protection of the nation’s forested areas that represent significant examples of the country’s natural heritage and for future generations. Some prohibited areas include areas that were also declared as Forest Reserves and Wildlife Sanctuaries.

Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs) have been designated under the Environmental Management Act (Chap. 35:05) Environmentally Sensitive Areas Rules, for the conservation and management of biologically significant areas including forested areas. There are currently three (3) ESAs which include the Aripo Savannas Strict Nature Reserve, Nariva Swamp Managed Resource Protected Area and the Matura National Park. They are intended to serve several objectives relating to biodiversity, species, ecosystem and livelihoods conservation, fulfilling international obligations and the promotion of scientific research.

The three (3) recently approved National Forest, Protected Areas and Wildlife Policies also provide the policy context for the sustainable management and conservation of, among others, our forest ecosystems and wildlife. These policies offer guidance for the development of legislation that will enable Trinidad and Tobago to establish an appropriate administrative and institutional framework for the management of forests and wildlife and designation of protected areas. As such, the Ministry of Planning and Development is in the process of drafting and finalising enabling legislation; i.e. the Forest, Protected Areas and Wildlife Conservation Bill and its regulations necessary for the implementation of the National Forest, Protected Areas and Wildlife Policies.

Additionally, the Ministry, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), has initiated the implementation of the "Improving Forest and Protected Area Management in Trinidad and Tobago" Project. This four (4) year project supports the Government’s policy reforms for biodiversity conservation for sustainable management of forestry and protected areas. It will establish six pilot protected areas to model participatory approaches as well as enhance capacity and finance for sustainable natural resource management.

The Government is committed to the protection of the environment through the preservation and proper management of our nation’s forest ecosystems and thus, supports the cause of Earth Day 2016. In addition to the efforts of the Government, every citizen of Trinidad and Tobago must understand the value of our trees and forest resources in providing the ecological and socio-economic needs and enhancing the well-being of the current and future generations. Let us all do our part and join the world in planting a tree for Earth Day 2016!

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For further information please contact:
The Communications Department
Ministry of Planning and Development
868- 627-9700 ext. 1457

April 22, 2016: Please be advised that the 2nd Public Meeting of the Public Administration and Appropriations Committee will take place on Wednesday April 27th, 2016 in the A.N.R. Robinson (East) Meeting Room, Level 9, Office of the Parliament, Tower D, The Port-of-Spain International Waterfront Centre, #1A Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain at 2:00 p.m.

At this meeting, the Committee will commence its examination into the 2016 Expenditure of the Integrity Commission, Environmental Commission, Tax Appeal Board and the Industrial Court under sub-head 09: Development Programme – Consolidated Fund.

The Members of the Public Administration and Appropriations Committee are:

1. Mrs. Bridgid Annisette-George – Chairman

2. Dr. Lackram Bodoe – Vice-Chairman

3. Mrs. Ayanna Webster-Roy – Member

4. Ms. Nicole Olivierre – Member

5. Mr. Maxie Cuffie – Member

6. Mr. Wade Mark – Member

7. Mr. Daniel Dookie – Member

8. Ms. Allyson Baksh – Member

9. Mr. Clarence Rambharat – Member

10. Ms. Melissa Ramkissoon – Member

We would appreciate if you would send a representative to cover this meeting, the proceedings of which will be recorded for playback on the Parliament Channel. Please Find us online: www.ttparliament.org 

Please note that this meeting will occur at the same time as the live meeting of the Joint Select Committee on Human Rights, Equality and Diversity. It will therefore be necessary to send additional staff to cover both meetings. To access the A.N.R. Robinson Room on the 9th floor, you must use the Waterfront Entrance.

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For further information please contact:

The Corporate Communications Unit

The Parliament of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

868-624-7275 Ext. 2318 or 2520.

April 25, 2016: Parliament’s Joint Select Committee on Local Authorities, Service Commissions and Statutory Authorities will hold a public meeting in Tobago on Wednesday April 27 from 10 a.m. at the Victor E. Bruce Financial Complex in Scarborough.

The Committee will inquire into the administration and operation of the Tobago House of Assembly.

The areas being looked at include financial allocation, tourism, agriculture and transport.

The public is invited to attend the event, which will also be broadcast live on Tobago Channel 5.

Written comments can also be emailed to jsclascsa@ttparliament.org

For further information please contact:

Department of Information

Office of the Chief Secretary

Tobago House of Assembly

868-639-3421

April 25, 2016: On Tuesday April 19th, the National HIV/AIDS Workplace Advocacy and Sustainability Centre (HASC) of the Ministry of Labour and Small Enterprise Development recently facilitated a group sensitization session with member organisations of the Employers’ Consultative Association (ECA) at their Aranguez office. 

Under the theme “HIV and AIDS: Making the Workplace A Supportive Environment” presentations and discussions were focused on the need to address HIV/ AIDS as a workplace issue. 

In her Opening Remarks, Mrs. Jocelyn Francois-Opedayi, Chief Executive Officer of the ECA indicated that “as an Employers’ organisation, our role is to guide, educate and provide practical support to our members in order to develop a non-discriminatory workplace policy on HIV and AIDS. Our aim is to encourage sustainable change in society in the way we deal with the HIV pandemic.”

Being extremely pleased with the session and the lively discussions that followed, Mrs. Francois-Opedayi pledged her organisation’s support to work closely with the HASC to make all workspaces free of HIV- related stigma and discrimination and encouraged member organisations of the ECA to do the same as HIV and AIDS affects us all.

 Caption: Ms. Angelina Philip, Advocacy Officer of HASC, discussing the key principles of the ILO Code of Practice on HIV&AIDS and the World of Work

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For more information please contact:
Ministry of Labour and Small Enterprise Development
Head Office
Level 5 & 6,
Tower C,
International Waterfront Centre
#1 Wrightson Road,
Port of Spain.
Tel: (868) 625-8478

April 25, 2016: The Economic Development Advisory Board is pleased to advise that Cabinet has agreed to the appointment of two additional members who are currently based overseas.  They are Professor Godfrey Mungal and Dr. Keith Nurse. 

Professor Godfrey Mungal was born and raised in Trinidad, and attended St. Mary’s College. He received his undergraduate education in Engineering Science at the University of Toronto (B.A.Sc. 1975, Hons.) and his graduate education in Aeronautics at the California Institute of Technology (M.S. 1977, Ph.D. 1983). He also served on the faculty of the University of the West Indies from 1975-76 as a lecturer in Mathematics, and as a post-doctoral research fellow from 1983-85 at the California Institute of Technology, before joining Stanford University.  He has served as director of the High Temperature Gasdynamics Laboratory from 1993-97, the Associate Chair for Student Services in Mechanical Engineering from 1997-2001, the Associate Dean for Graduate Policy from 2002-2005 and a Stanford Resident Fellow from 2001-2007. He became Professor Emeritus at Stanford University in 2007, and continues his research at Stanford. Since September 2007 he serves as the Sobrato Professor and Dean of Engineering at Santa Clara University.

Dr. Keith Nurse is Senior Fellow at the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute for Social and Economic Studies and the World Trade Organization Chair at The University of the West Indies. He is the former Executive Director of the UWI Consulting Inc. and Director of the Shridath Ramphal Centre for International Trade Law, Policy and Services, UWI, Cave Hill Campus, Barbados. He is also teaching faculty at the Arthur Lok Jack School of Business, Trinidad and Tobago. He has published and served as a consultant on a broad range of topics including trade policy, aid for trade, Diasporas, creative economy, tourism, innovation governance, global value chains and climate change. He has recently been appointed to the International Union of the Scientific Study of Populations panel on “Population and Development in Small Island Developing States” and to the “Committee for Development Policy”, a subsidiary body of the United Nations Economic and Social Council which reviews the status of Least Developed Countries.

In welcoming the new members to the Board, Chairman of the Board, Dr. Terrence Farrell indicated that Professor Mungal would bring the very best scientific and engineering expertise and a wealth of information and contacts that would support policy formation on innovation and Research and Development in Science and Technology as well as engineering-based projects, while Dr. Nurse was well-known regionally and internationally for his work on tourism, the creative and cultural industries, and on the diaspora, which are all areas of focus for the Board.  Both new members would bring fresh perspectives and thinking to the work of the Board as it formulates and implements the country’s diversification and transformation strategies.

The new additions bring the total membership of the Board to eleven.

April 25^th 2016.

_____________________________________

Dr. Terrence Farrell

Chairman

Economic Development Advisory Board

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For further information please contact:

The Communications Department

Ministry of Planning & Development

868-627-9700 ext 1457

April 25, 2016: The Tobago House of Assembly (THA) has not yet received its full parliamentary allocation for the third quarter in fiscal 2016.

The Ministry of Finance has forwarded funds for one month’s recurrent expenditure and little more than one month’s funding for its development programme. However, Chief Secretary Orville London told reporters at Wednesday’s post Executive Council media briefing wages and salaries to Assembly workers remain a priority.

According to the THA Act, the Ministry has to forward the Assembly’s quarterly allocations “en bloc”—or all together—at the beginning of the quarter.

“There is a problem with the THA finances,” London explained. “Usually and legally, the Tobago House of Assembly receives its parliamentary allocation from the Ministry of Finance ‘en bloc’ and in advance. “This did not happen in this particular quarter. In fact, funding was received the middle of this month; we received one month of funding under recurrent and one month and a half funding under the development vote,” London said.

London said Secretary of Finance and Enterprise Development, Assemblyman Joel Jack, discussed the matter with Minister of Finance Colm Imbert while they were at a conference in the United States.

The Chief Secretary added: “The reason of course is the reason put forward in the mid-term review, where the government is operating in a scenario where they can only spend what they collect.

“With the unavailability of the $9 billion overdraft, the government has no flexibility and therefore only what it collects it can spend, so although we are concerned and of course challenged, I think we are aware of what the real situation is.”

London said Imbert has assured the THA that the rest of the allocation should come within the next four weeks. Officials in the Finance Division have indicated that the situation, although difficult, is not “totally unmanageable”.

“I have every confidence that we would be able to treat with the major priorities in the short term,” London said.

“As the rest of the country, we recognise two things: we hope the situation is going to improve but the reality is that it is unlikely to improve in the short term.”

London said the THA is monitoring the situation, and will make the necessary adjustments, as well as keep Tobagonians notified.

“We do not think that at this point in time there is any need for any serious adjustments beyond what was made when we spoke to the island after the first seven percent cut,” London added.

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For further information please contact:

Department of Information

Office of the Chief Secretary

Tobago House of Assembly

868-639-3421

April 25, 2016: The Honourable Darryl Smith, Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs, brought greetings to the Woodbrook Pentecostal Church's 2nd Annual Health Fair and Community Expo on Saturday April 23, 2016. The health fair themed, “Health and Recession: Back to Basics” was held at the premises of the Valley Harps Steel Orchestra, Petit Valley.

During his address, the Sport Minister told the participants and attendees that he anticipated more events like these especially in the current economic climate. He commended the organisers for hosting the event and applauded the idea to bring the community together and to share information on the services provided by various state agencies. The Minister spent the day touring and participating in the various booths and even engaged two young boys at the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs booth, who competed in a sport trivia for token prizes.

The purpose of the Fair was to bring services and information on health and wellbeing to the entire family in targeted areas, while promoting community cohesion and collaboration in problem solving. It also provided residents with information on how to access loan and grant services offered by various state agencies, financial management and entrepreneurship, facilitating the improvement of the quality of life in the community.

Some of the day’s activities included, 5k, health consultations, prayer and counselling, puppetry, armchair aerobics, futsal games and a community concert.

Ismael Sandiford (left) and Shakeel Peters (right) share a light moment with Minister Smith after participating in sport trivia with the Minister, conducted by the MSYA at the Petit Valley Health and Community Expo. 

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For further information please contact:

The Corporate Communications Unit

Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs

868-627-4408 ext. 4005

April 25, 2016: Representatives of the International Labour Organization (ILO) paid a courtesy visit on Permanent Secretary Jacinta Bailey-Sobers at the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services on Thursday April 21, 2016 to discuss issues surrounding social protection in Trinidad and Tobago. Accompanying ILO’s Director of the Social Protection Department, Isabel Ortiz, were her colleagues, Mr Ariel Pino and Ms Claudia Coenjaerts, Director ILO Decent Work Team Caribbean.

Ms Isabel Ortiz and her team indicated that they are engaging with a number of countries to ensure social protection for vulnerable persons. She further suggested that the Ministry’s poverty consultations be used to highlight the importance of an integrated social protection response in this country. She also highlighted that while many countries dependant on oil and gas revenue, like Trinidad and Tobago have felt the impacts of the downturn, it was imperative that Trinidad and Tobago develop an overarching system to assist those who are affected.

Mr. Ariel Pino, expressed his organization’s willingness to provide assistance to the Ministry by means of strategic tools that will help develop the Ministry’s ability to track expenditure and refine the Ministry’s targeted approach to social protection. PS Sobers articulated that an evaluation and review of the programmes and initiatives offered by the Ministry is intrinsic to better targeting individuals who need assistance most. Bailey-Sobers welcomed the delegation’s offers of assistance and expressed the Ministry’s willingness to collaborate with the ILO in an effort to add value to the lives of the indigent and vulnerable in Trinidad and Tobago.

Permanent Secretary Jacinta Bailey-Sobers presents a token to ILO’s Director of the Social Protection Department, Isabel Ortiz.

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For further information please contact:

The Communications Unit

Ministry of Social Development and Family Services

868-623-2608 Ext. 5405/5424/5432

April 25, 2016: Trinidad and Tobago joined 174 other countries to sign the Paris Climate Change Agreement at a special High-Level signing event which took place at United Nations Headquarters in New York on Friday April 22, 2016.

The large number of signatories representing individual countries, 175 in total, is being hailed as a record for the number of adherents to an international agreement on the first day it was open for signature. In presiding over the High-Level event, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon noted the unprecedented participation of Heads of State and Government as well as Ministers from diverse regions of the world. He indicated that the success of the event is attributed to the continued momentum or urgent global action on climate change sparked at the Paris Conference in December 2015 where the Agreement was finalized and welcomed by all members of the international community.

Senator the Honourable Dennis Moses, Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs signed the Paris Climate Agreement on behalf of Trinidad and Tobago and addressed other high ranking officials to reaffirm the commitment of Trinidad and Tobago to achieving the object and purpose of the Paris Agreement, and to take measures to address climate change for the well- being of present and future generations.

In his Statement to the Meeting, Minister Moses informed that the Government of Trinidad and Tobago is currently finalizing its long term development policy VISION 2030, which proposes to align its domestic development plans, including addressing climate change, with the targets and goals of the Sustainable Development Goals and Trinidad and Tobago’s nationally determined contribution under the Paris Agreement.

In addition to signing the Paris Agreement, fifteen (15) countries also deposited their instruments of ratification indicating their countries' readiness to implement the Agreement immediately. This number included Barbados, Belize, Saint Lucia and Saint Kitts and Nevis from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). The Paris Agreement will not come into force until 55 countries representing 55% of total greenhouse gas emissions deposit their instruments of ratification.

Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs, Senator the Honourable Dennis Moses delivers a statement at Signing Ceremony for the Paris Climate Change Agreement.

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The Communications Unit

Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs

868-623-6894