UNC to name Senators today

There will be keen interest in the Opposition United National Congress (UNC) benches when the Senate sitting resumes tomorrow, as two new Opposition Senators are expected to take their oath and seats in the Senate.

The UNC is expected to announce today the replacements for senators Sadiq Baksh and Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan who were fired last week by the UNC executive because of their allegiance to UNC political leader Winston Dookeran.

On the order paper is the resumption of debate on Independent Senator Professor Ramesh Deosaran’s motion on crime which calls for the Government to explain to the Senate why actions of relevant agencies have so far failed to produce desired results.

It also call for the Senate to agree that the Government outline, with specific performance targets and mechanisms for accountability, what concrete measures it intends to take to deal efficiently with the serious crime situation facing the country.

Opposition Senator Wade Mark has two motions on the agenda for debate. The first calls for the Government to take immediate steps to have the Equal Opportunity legislation proclaimed and fully effected while the other calls for the elimination of discrimination in all its forms. Senator Eastyln McKenzie and Basharat Ali also have motions listed. Under Government Business, the Government has brought a motion dealing with the House of Representatives amendments to the Fair Trading Bill 2006.

“An Act to Amend the Tourism Development Act 2000” is listed for second reading and will be piloted by Minister of Tourism Howard Chin Lee.

Senator Mark has three questions for oral response. Mark wants Minister of Energy and Energy Industries Dr Lenny Saith to provide details on Government granting five quarry licences to private companies.

He also wants Minister of National Security Martin Joseph to state whether Government intended to purchase, install and maintain security cameras in all business districts in TT and Minister of Public Utilities Pennelope Beckles to tell the Senate about the plan to remove the Beetham dump.