Govt to remove duties from chicken imports

Legal Affairs Minister Camille Robinson-Regis, yesterday stated that the Cabinet will be examining the removal of the surcharges and duties that are placed on foreign imports of chicken in the best interest of consumers. She said: “we have seen that prices particularly of staple foods like chicken have been increasing at an unprecedented rate for no apparent reason. In these circumstances the government of Trinidad and Tobago is looking at removing the protection that is now afforded to chicken producers, because we have come to recognise that all of us are consumers and consequently no one group or no monopoly should take advantage of consumers in a way that result in, in effect, gouging consumers and leaving them at the mercy of one group of persons.”

This statement was heartily applauded by persons gathered for the launch of the sensitisation programme on disability for supermarkets, held yesterday outside the Tru Valu Supermarket in Valsayn. Robinson-Regis added that business people have acted in a way that was detrimental to the consumers and said that because of the numerous complaints regarding the insurance industry too, and in particular motor vehicle insurance, the ministry is currently examining that particular industry with the objective of protecting and enlightening the consumers of TT. She however praised the banking sector for the reduction of some of their service charges. The launch yesterday was a collaborative effort of the Consumer Affairs Division in the Legal Affairs Ministry, the Disability Affairs Unit with the Social Services Delivery, Office of the Prime Minister, the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce and the Supermarkets Association of Trinidad and Tobago.

Earlier, the Chamber’s David O’Brien told the gathering that three major supermarkets will be trained in the technique of serving customers with disabilities as well as the elderly, especially focusing on their mobility while doing everyday purchases. He said too: “We hope other businesses will take cue from today’s initiative and devise their own projects to make their environments more accessible.” Senator Christine Kangaloo who also spoke at the launch said that the government was working assiduously to address the concerns of the differently-abled in the shortest possible time but that immediate solutions cannot be all had at once. She said the removal of obstacles is essential to being a quality nation and an all inclusive society, which is the focus of her Ministry.

She informed the gathering that through the Disability Affairs Unit, action has already commenced, in collaboration with various ministries, to remove both attitudinal and physical barriers affecting persons with disabilities. This year the focus has been on the areas of transportation, public awareness and the environment. She acknowledged that much more needs to be done, and that the initial project launched yesterday was only part of a larger programme aimed at sensitising the entire corporate sector to the needs of the community. Kangaloo ended by saying: “Now is the time to put an end to negative statements and attitudes and highlight the positive impact of what has been done to improve the lives of persons with disabilities.
“We also recognise that much more needs to be done, and as such I take this opportunity to encourage all social partners to play your part in working towards a Trinidad and Tobago, that is accommodating, understanding, responsive and accessible to our fellow citizens who are differently-able, but who are very capable and independent.” Presentations of cheques and flowers were made to several differently-abled groups during and at the end of the ceremony.