NATUC slams Sinanan

Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan’s attack on the acting CEO of the Port Authority, using a media house, is unacceptable in a democratic society, National Trade Union Centre (NATUC) general secretary Michael Annisette.

“NATUC wants to condemn that unprofessional attack by the Minister of Works and Transport on a public servant who does not have the ability to protect herself because of her position within the port authority,” Annisette said.

Annisette made his remarks yesterday at a press conference at the Seamen and Waterfront Workers Union office in Port of Spain. Condemning Sinanan’s statement that Allison Lewis’ testimony before the parliamentary Joint Select Committee on Land and Physical Infrastructure was contrary to his, and which he called “a blatant lie,” Annisette questioned how a government minister could attack someone who is covered by parliamentary privilege for expressing a view.

“We are seeing a level of attacks on public servants who dare to have a contrary view to the government,” he said. Claiming there had not been any outrage over the minister’s comments, he said, “There is nothing to protect the very institution that we have set up to get information to carry the country forward.”