UNC MPs clamour, but money goes to Tobago Govt Ministers

Speaking during yesterday’s Budget debate in the House of Representatives, Couva South MP Kelvin Ramnath said Government would always lose qualified professionals in the Public Service to the private sector because they were not prepared to pay them the type of remunerations needed to retain them.

He then accused Government of not increasing his salary over the last four years and of even spiting PNM MPs on this matter. Opposition Chief Whip Ganga Singh added his voice to the call for parliamentarians to receive backpay which they are reportedly owed since 2001. However, Leader of Government Business in the Lower House, Ken Valley, said UNC MPs were well aware that this matter lay in the hands of the SRC and of the procedures involved.

Meanwhile, the 78th report of the SRC, which was laid in the House yesterday, stated that certain provisions must be made to facilitate the work of Government ministers who live in Tobago, but work in Trinidad.

The SRC said it has been advised that to carry out their ministerial responsibilities, these persons are required to maintain two households (one in Trinidad, one in Tobago) or give up their Tobago residence and maintain a household in Trinidad.

The commission was also advised that such ministers were severely disadvantaged when visiting Tobago, if their vehicles were in Trinidad and while there was assistance from the Tobago House of Assembly, arrangements were often ad hoc and uncertain.

The report also noted that distinctions must be made between the duties of a Government minister who is an elected MP (with a constituency in Tobago) and one who is a senator. In order to deal with these and other concerns highlighted in the report, the SRC has proposed that (effective August 1, 2004) Government ministers resident in Tobago but living in Trinidad would receive a ministerial allowance of $5,000 per month to conduct their duties, a maximum of 85 return tickets per annum by air, a maximum of 30 return tickets per annum by air (if the minister is a senator) and a constituency allowance of $2,500 per month (for elected MPs resident in Tobago but working in Trinidad).

While Government ministers resident in Tobago but working in Trinidad are eligible for a maximum travel insurance coverage of $750,000, the SRC said provision should be made for an elected MP whose normal residence is in Tobago but who works in Trinidad "to be provided with insurance coverage given the need to travel between Trinidad and Tobago on constituency business.