John: Government confused about covid19

OPPOSITION Senator Jearlean John on Monday claimed the Government was confused about how to handle the covid19 pandemic.

In her contribution to the budget debate in the Senate, John quipped, "It appears left foot doesn't know what right foot is doing."

John recalled Public Administration Minister Allyson West speaking about strategies to help public servants work at home when West spoke in the debate on October 23.

She claimed the Prime Minister contradicted West's statements when he announced a day later that the entire public service would return to work on Monday.

John expressed concern that government ministries and state companies could be fertile grounds for covid19 super-spreaders, should all public servants return to work from Monday.

While admitting the pandemic would be challenging to any prime minister and government in TT, John charged, "It is no longer a catastrophe. Everything is closing down."

Referring to comments made by Trotters Restaurant Group owner Peter George about challenges his business is facing, John quipped, "It took a pandemic to have a 'come to Jesus' moment."

As she quoted comments from several newspaper articles, Senate President Christine Kangaloo cautioned John against imputing improper motive through her references. John heeded Kangaloo's advice.

On the privatisation of the Port of Spain port, which Finance Minister Colm Imbert mentioned in his budget presentation in the House of Representatives on October 5, John claimed there was no tendering for this project and it was already a done deal. She further alleged that the privatisation of the port was not new, having been tried unsuccessfully by previous PNM and UNC governments.

John alleged the Government branded anyone opposed to its covid19 strategies as unpatriotic and an enemy to the State.

Referring to the different roles she has held in the public and private sector, John said good people were to be found in both places.

"People will work hard if you work with them."