JSC meeting ends in confusion as members feud over reports

The meeting of the Joint Select Committee (JSC) on Government ministries, statutory authorities and municipal corporations gave way to confusion and feuding among committee members over how to proceed with the mayors, chairmen and chief executive officers (CEOs) of Local Government bodies, who were summoned before them yesterday. The situation prompted Opposition Senator Roy Augustus to ruefully remark, “We looking bad. We have invited the people here, and now we are arguing about procedure.” Committee members argued over whether or not the Local Government representatives should be allowed to briefly address their concerns at that point in time; or if they (the committee) should wait until they received all the written reports from the corporations before any discussion could take place.

Committee Chairman, Independent Senator Prof Ramesh Deosaran, initially pointed out that many corporations have not yet complied with Section 66 of the TT Constitution (which requires all Local Government bodies to submit an annual report to the President on their administration and functions). He also said that since those reports would be the basis of the committee’s inquiry into Local Government, there could be no formal inquiry. However, committee member, Opposition Senator Robin Montano, suggested that notwithstanding the absence of all the reports, the mayors, chairmen and CEOs be allowed to give a brief presentation, to give the committee “an idea” of what their concerns were. “They all got a message inviting them for us to consider their relevant concerns. I would like to hear from them. We (the committee) have done enough talking,” added Montano.

Deosaran pointed out that there might not be enough time for such presentations. La Brea MP Hedwige Bereaux  and Tobago East MP Eudine Job-Davis concurred with Deosaran, insisting that the reports were needed before there could be dialogue. Montano tersely replied, “What are you afraid of? Let them talk!” Chaguanas Mayor Surujrattan Rambachan rose in support of Montano’s gesture by reading a portion of the committee’s invitation letter, highlighting that the committee did in fact invite them to discuss “reporting requirements and any relevant concerns.” Rambachan went further, remarking “it is an injustice to the public not to let us talk.”

He raised the point that the committee could be more effective if it was aware of and understood the concerns that the corporations would be illustrating in their reports. However, Bereaux countered Rambachan by maintaining that the representatives had not submitted their reports, yet they have come to discuss their concerns. He was adamant that the official reports needed to be viewed first. With regard to the reports, some corporations insisted they had already submitted reports, but on further enquiry, it was found that there was some confusion over reports that were submitted to the Ministry of Local Government, and reports that were supposed to be submitted to the President.

Dr Bishnu Ragoonath, senior lecturer at the University of the West Indies, who was present at the proceedings, commented, “The committee needs to work as a bipartisan committee. Clearly the committee has taken political sides, which has impacted negatively on the course of action here today. A lot more information could have been gained from the representatives.” Inverness/Princes Town councillor and Local Government Association member Clifton De Coteau lamented that the proceedings were “a clear reflection of the inefficiency of Local Government.” De Coteau also expressed disappointment that the councillors had not been considered by the committee. He said he intended to write the committee seeking a forum for councillors to air their concerns.