Senate passes Procurement Bill

Imbert, who was the chairman of the joint select committee (JSC) which dealt with the Procurement Bill, said the minutes of the fifth meeting of the committee clearly showed that Caroni Central MP Dr Bhoe Tewarie (one of two Opposition parliamentarians on the JSC) was in total support of the decision to change the terms of office for the procurement regulator and people working under the regulator. He said Mark would have seen this had he spent “two minutes” to read the minutes of that meeting instead of the minutes of the fourth meeting of the JSC.

Imbert said Tewarie’s only objection was to the proposal of a review board to assess any issues arising with the regulator in the conduct of his duties.

He added that while Tewarie attended all but one meeting of the JSC, Opposition Senator Wayne Sturge (the other Opposition member on the committee) was absent for all the meetings. The amendments reduced the terms of the regulator and deputy regulator from seven to five years while other members of the procurement board had their terms reduced from six to four years and four to three years, respectively.

Indicating the reason for this was “very, very simple,” Imbert said the terms of office of the President, Parliament and Government in TT were all five years. “We did not think that we should have someone holding this type of office transcending administrations. So we simply decided to limit it to the term of office of the Parliament, the Government and the President,” he stated.

Responding to Opposition Senator Khadijah Ameen’s concerns, Imbert said it was a mathematical impossibility for the terms of office of the regulator, President, Parliament and Government to expire at the same time.

He explained that when appointed this year, the regulator’s term will end in 2022, two years after the next general election and two years into the term of the next government.

Imbert added the legislation does not allow for the regulator to get another term in office after the five-year period is up. He also said the tenures of the other members of the board will ensure continuity.

Imbert thanked temporary Independent Senator Nikoli Edwards for informing the Senate about the wide range of interest groups (including women and young people) who will be represented on the board. After noting the regulator is appointed by the President after consultation with the Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader, Imbert said the terms and conditions for the regulator must be settled before the President appoints that person. “That is in process,” he added.