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CARIBNEWS
WEEK ENDING AUGUST 15, 2023
T&T – Integrity Commission on PM’s Townhouse Probe
In response to an editorial by the Express Newspaper in Trinidad asking the Integrity Commission on Tuesday to explain why it terminated the investigation of the Prime Minister’s purchase of a
townhouse in Tobago, the following statement was issued: The Integrity Commission (“the Commission”) notes, with concern, the issues raised in the Editorial of the
Trinidad and Tobago Express Newspaper, dated August 09, 2023, with the headline, “Integrity Commissionmust explain”. This editorial comes on the heels of a press statement released to media professionals of all the daily newspapers on August 08, 2023. It is somewhat surprising that the five paged press statement did not make the Commission’s position clear on the investigation into the statutory filings of the Honourable Dr Keith Rowley for 2019 which lead to the call for further clarification of its position. The Commission has made it clear that it understands its statutory duties and wishes to assure the public that it carefully reviews all positions taken, being fully cognizant of the need to ensure public confidence in the institution. It must also be understood that persons in public life are expected to familiarize themselves with the requirements of the Integrity in Public Life Act (IPLA). The Commission has always made its resources available to explain to persons
in public life, the statutory requirements that must be adhered to on assumption of office. Indeed, the Commission has made presentations, when required, to bodies falling under its purview. Notwithstanding the press statement of August 08, 2023, the Commission wishes to take the opportunity to once again explain the workings of the IPLA. As a starting point, Part III of the Integrity in Public Life Act, Sections 11 to 22, deals with financial disclosures... The statement comes on the heels of the termination of an investigation into a complaint over the Prime Minister’s purchase of a townhouse in Tobago; in response to a signed pre-action protocol letter, dated August, to the commission’s registrar from attorneys for UNC activist Ravi Balgobin Maharaj. The Commission stands by a statement it issued and takes umbrage with the editorial.
T&T – Election Results, Status Quo With 7-7 Tie Between PNM and UNC On Monday night minutes after 10 pm, the Prime Minister for the PNM and Kamla Persad-Bissessar for the UNC, both declared victory in the local government elections. The election results show that the PNM won seven councils – Port of Spain, San Fernando, Arima, Point Fortin, Diego Martin, San Juan/ Laventille and Tunapuna/Piarco, while the UNC won retained its seven – Chaguanas, Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo, Mayaro/Rio Claro, Penal/Debe, Princes Town, Siparia and Sangre Grande. Other smaller parties – the NTA (allied to the UNC), PEP, MSJ and PDP – failed to win any seats. Rowley declared, “You have changed nothing,” in his speech at Balisier house as the results came in. “We went in with seven and came out with seven. We lost a seat in San Fernando, by a few votes.” He says the nation has serious work to do, but “they are very, very happy”. Earlier in the day, PM Rowley said regardless of the result of the local elections results, the government will still press on with local government reform. He made the statement after voting at the International School of Port of Spain in Westmoorings.
“We are the government of Trinidad and Tobago and our responsibility is not going to fade. We will still be active and we will continue to keep our commitment to the people of TT,” Dr Rowley said while speaking to media outside the school. “This is not about the government being elected. The government is in office and will remain there until the next election is called, and we will work until the very last day. We will continue to contribute so the country could keep moving upward and forward.” He said local government reform will give citizens more say in governance and will better connect the people with the government. Meanwhile Persad-Bissessar said, “We’ll work harder to bring home the next election, whenever it is called, because we have a vision for the country.” She mentioned that the “PNM lost votes in almost all seats” and that the party would would have “gained the popular vote”. Approximately 30-35 percent of citizens turned out to vote in these local elections.