Category: privatization

Privatisation for Control: The Trinidad and Tobago Revenue Authority

March 2, 2010 by admin

Yesterday, I took some people down to the Siparia District Revenue Office to get part of their form required for water connection filled out. And the office was closed. A sign on the door said that the Siparia District Revenue Office we were at would be closed as of December 31st, 2009 and told people to go visit the Siparia District Revenue Office - without any form of direction. It ends up that the office wasn't closed, but the sign is there to confuse people.

We met others who wanted to get things done at the District Revenue Office. Tired of no answers, I walked to the building behind and talked to the security who - in their infinite wisdom - told people that they should listen to the news since the people employed by the District Revenue Office were 'on strike'. If you want any information in Trinidad and Tobago, talk to the security guards. It seems that they know everything, and for a little power to demean others they will willingly disburse information.

The day was lost. But I did recall hearing something about the strike - thankfully abbreviated from the 'industrial action' used way too often. I came across this video this morning (hat tip to Margaret Rose), and it gives an interesting - and in my opinion, correct - perspective of what Trinidad and Tobago government has been doing as a whole. That it's on the Internet is inspiring, that Om Lalla and P.S.A President Watson Duke hit the issue so well should become viral.

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