Charles: Was Balisier House built from sugar cake and tooloom?

NAPARIMA MP Rodney Charles asked whether the new Balisier House was being built from sugar cake and tooloom, but rather than alluding to a "Hansel and Gretel" styled witch's candy cottage, was wondering whether the sale of these local delicacies was truly adequate to fund the multi-storey construction.

At a UNC rally at Princes Town on Monday ahead of the August 14 local government elections, he alleged the Government would soon try weaken TT's procurement laws and asked if this was a last ditch attempt to facilitate the building of Balisier House and other PNM projects.

"Who do they expect to believe that raffles, barbecue, tooloom, sugar cakes and doubles sales could fund Balisier House?"

He referred to Wednesday when the Government would pilot the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property (Amendment and Validation) Bill, 2023 in the House of Representatives.

"Given the lack of transparency, it seems to be a very convenient, under the radar, fortuitous avenue which may very well be used to give contracts to friends and financiers of the PNM with a presumed understanding that donations are then given towards PNM campaigns and funding the $100 million Balisier House."

Charles said the PNM should provide a list of Balisier House donors.

Saying the Prime Minister had chided the Opposition for having not supported past amendments to the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property Act 2015.

Charles said Wednesday's bill would be "the mother of bad legislation."

"A pattern is arising with this PNM administration.

"They do all kinds of 'ratch' thing, pass exemptions on the sly, bypass proper procurement practices, raid the treasury, spend taxpayers dollars wastefully, and then come retroactively to fix their illegal antics."

He queried the $9 million spent on the recent Caricom meeting which the Government had to afterwards approve by a retroactive order criticised by the Opposition.

"Did the Prime Minister not know he was hosting the 50th Caricom anniversary celebrations?

"Did he not know he was serving shrimps and assorted beverages and the prices could change?"

Asking if Dr Rowley couldn't he have anticipated the cost of the summit, Charles asked if TT could no longer plan any large event.

He hit, "First they proclaim the Procurement legislation after eight long years.

"Then it was peremptorily gutted by exempting important legal, financial, accounting, auditing and medical services.

"On Wednesday they will do some further weakening of the procurement legislation."

Charles urged voters to use the upcoming elections to send a message to Rowley.

He said the Government did not have a clue on what is happening on the ground.

"We are failing on all fronts with crime. Our Police Commissioner is in over her head. Her plans are failing. Her targets are not being met."

Charles said Minister of National Security Fitzgerald Hinds was incapable of doing his job.

"Our elderly are being attacked and killed. Bodies are turning up everywhere. Homes are invaded in broad daylight. Vendors are no longer safe.

"Where have we reached under this PNM Government? We are heading down a dangerous road."

He said local government elections were not about local government reform which was passed in 2022.

"This election is a referendum on you, Keith Rowley and your administration."

Charles said this election was about crime, poverty and systems failing the population.

"It is about unacceptable murders.

"It is about hunger and starvation. It is about widespread hopelessness.

"It is about an education system that is failing our youth."

Charles said the election was all about the Government desiring special police units to allegedly hunt down political opponents.

"It is about a judicial system that has collapsed. It is about the lack of refugee/ migrant policies.

"It is about your total failure to provide citizens with well paying jobs, safety and security and an environment in which our children can live in peace and prosperity.

"That is why on August 14th, we call on you to stand your ground and vote for the UNC. Send Keith Christopher Rowley a message. He has failed us."