Minister misses poverty talks

THE MINISTER responsible for Social Services Delivery in the Office of the Prime Minister, Senator Christine Kan-galoo, failed to respond to an invitation to speak at a poverty reduction forum of the San Juan/Laventille Regional Network (SALNET). The SALNET Regional Assembly was held yesterday at the Transport and Industrial Workers’ Union in Laventille. Chairman of SALNET, Lasana Kwesi said two letters were sent to Kangaloo, one inviting her to deliver the feature address, since the programme fell under her Ministry,  and another requesting funding for yesterday’s activity.

He said the letters were copied to the Permanent Secretary and the Manager of the Poverty Reduction Programme, but SALNET received no official response. He said it is possible she did not see the letter. “If she did receive the letter, it is a great slight to civil society organisations and poverty reduction, especially since she heads the Social Delivery Ministry. It is tantamount to gross disrespect, not only to civil society organisations, but also to the grassroots people,” Kwesi said.

He noted that the European Union had given the Government TT$42 million to develop poverty reduction programmes. As a result, the Government used municipal boundaries to encourage the formation of regional networks, comprising the various civil society organisations to assist in developing a comprehensive strategic plan to deal with poverty. According to Kwesi, SALNET has been very active, holding consultations, conducting research and mobilising other groups. “Our outreach programme has been very successful. We started out with 36 organisations, and through the programme, we have recruited a further 86,” he said.