UDECOTT

While perusing an online forum where Trinbagonians discuss national issues, I engaged a long-time contributor who has been crying out for stronger campaign finance regulations as a key solution to our disturbing legacy of political corruption.  I had been a supporter of his call, but sometimes wondered if such regulation would be a central solution, or whether other types of reform may be more critical at this time.  After relentlessly pressing him for online articles that shaped his views, and analysing same, I have concluded that, while important, there may be two other more urgen

“His Excellency, PNM Leader for Life, Field Marshal Al Hadji Doctor Executive {Insert past despot’s name} Dada, VC, DSO, MC, Lord of All the Beasts of the Earth and Fishes of the Sea, and Conqueror of the Panday Empire in the Caribbean in General and Trinidad & Tobago in Particular", said the Clerk of the House on introducing Trinidad's Executive President {Insert past despot’s name}.

According to press reports, the Hon.

According to members of the new political coalition in T&T, Mr Calder Hart is expected to return to the country on Monday 3rd May 2010 to be formally charged with perjury.  The COP's Vernon de Lima is reported to have said:

The hard-working T&T Parliament administrative staff haven't yet received an electronic copy of the findings of the Uff Commission into the Construction Sector, complete with appendices, but they have scanned the main body of the report inclusive of the annexes.  The PDF file is 13.2 MB and not yet posted on www.ttparliament.org, but I have requested and obtained the scanned electronic copy from the Communications Co-ordinator on behalf of the Clerk of the Senate.

The Hon. Prime Minister, Patrick Manning, has been quoted today in the press as saying his government is continuing to create a 'new order' in the construction sector that gives citizens value for money.  To quote the Hon. PM ('PM hammers contractors', Trinidad Express, Sat 13 Mar 2010):

The revelation in Trinidad and Tobago Newspapers that Calder Hart had was part of a criminal investigation as of September, 2009, casts some question as to whether the man holding the office of Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Patrick Manning, is indeed an honest man as his pastor alleges.

I just watched one of the most enlightening discussions on the concerns about UDeCOTT on C TV with Afra Raymond.  I wish C TV posted clips of its First Up breakfast show online.  Here were the key points from the interview.

All special purpose state bodies are supposed to publish annual financial accounts.  UDeCOTT's last published accounts were for 2006.