Hansard - Parliament

THE

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES OFFICIAL REPORT

IN THE FIRST SESSION OF THE NINTH PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO WHICH OPENED ON DECEMBER 17, 2007

SESSION 2007—2008 VOLUME 3 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Friday, June 06, 2008

The House met at 1.30 p.m. PRAYERS

[MR. SPEAKER in the Chair] LEAVE OF ABSENCE

Mr. Speaker: Hon. Members, I have received communication from the following Members requesting leave of absence from today’s sitting of the House: Mr. Winston Peters, Member of Parliament for Mayaro, for the period June 02—June 19; Mr. Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj SC, Member of Parliament for Tabaquite, for the period June 02—June 06; Mr. Jack Warner, Member of Parliament for Chaguanas West, from today’s sitting of the House; and the Hon. Paula Gopee-Scoon, Member of Parliament for Point Fortin, from today’s sitting of the House. The leave which these Members seek is granted.

ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS

The Minister of Works and Transport (Hon. Colm Imbert): Mr. Speaker, the Government is in a position to answer questions Nos. 71, 98, 108 and 123, and we would ask for a deferral of the other questions for two weeks.

The following questions stood on the Order Paper:

Brian Lara Sporting Complex (Cost and Completion of)

48. With regard to the Brian Lara Sporting Complex in Tarouba, could the hon. Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs state:

a) the projected cost;

b) how much money has been expended on the project so far; and

c) the expected date of completion of the entire project? [Dr. H. Rafeeq]

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Oral Answers To Questions Friday, June 06, 2008

Financial Support for Needy Students (Details of Selection)

60. Could the hon. Minister of Science, Technology and Tertiary Education state: a) how much money was spent in 2007 to support needy students seeking

tertiary training abroad; b) how these students were selected for financial support; c) whether there was any advertisement with respect to the availability

of this fund for assistance to local students studying abroad; and d) if the answer to (c) is in the affirmative, could the Minister state the

dates and the specific media in which these advertisements were placed? [Dr. H. Rafeeq]

Ex-Caroni (1975) Limited (Leases for Agricultural Land)

74. Could the hon. Minister of Agriculture, Land and Marine Resources state: (a) how many leases for agricultural land have been given out to and executed

by ex-Caroni (1975) Limited VSEP-availed workers as at February 29, 2008; and

(b) where the lands in (a) are located? [Dr. H. Rafeeq] Ex-Caroni (1975) Limited

(Leases for Residential Lands) 75. Could the hon. Minister of Agriculture, Land and Marine Resources state:

(a) how many leases for residential lands have been given out to and executed by ex-Caroni (1975) Limited VSEP-availed workers as at February 29, 2008; and

(b) where the lands in (a) are located? [Dr. H. Rafeeq] Caroni (1975) Limited

(Criteria and Selection of) 76. Could the hon. Minister of Agriculture, Land and Marine Resources state:

(a) how many residential lots from land previously owned by Caroni (1975) Limited will be made available by sale/lease/rental to members of the public;

(b) the price at which the lands in (a) will be sold; and

(c) when the land in (a) will become available; and the criteria for selection of purchasers for the above lots of lands? [Dr. H. Rafeeq]

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Passports 77. Could the hon. Minister of National Security state:

(a) how many citizens of Trinidad and Tobago are in possession of the ‘old’ (non machine readable) passports;

(b) the deadline for changing all these passports to the machine readable passports; and

(c) how many passport applications are processed and new passports delivered at present on a weekly basis? [Dr. H. Rafeeq]

Housing Development Corporation (Allotment of Houses)

87. Could the hon. Minister of Planning, Housing and the Environment state the process by which Housing Development Corporation (HDC) houses are allotted to applicants? [Mr. H. Partap]

St. Marie Emmanuel Road (Re-paving of)

88. Could the hon. Minister of Local Government state: (a) when would the St. Marie Emmanuel Road in Cumuto, Sangre Grande

be rehabilitated and re-paved by the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation; and

(b) why was this road not previously paved? [Mr. H. Partap] Major Landslips

(Repair of) 89. Could the hon. Minister of Local Government state when would the

Sangre Grande Regional Corporation repair the major landslips in Cumuto at: (a) Harkoo Trace; and (b) Sookoo Trace? [Mr. H. Partap]

Private Nursing Homes (Sums Paid to Doctors)

96. Could the hon. Minister of Health state what sums were paid to individual doctors working in private nursing homes for professional services rendered to public patients in 2006 and 2007 on behalf of the Ministry of Health? [Dr. T. Gopeesingh]

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University of Trinidad and Tobago (Details of)

101. With regard to all the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) campuses throughout Trinidad and Tobago, could the hon. Minister of Science, Technology & Tertiary Education:

(a) the cost of construction of each; and

(b) the annual expenditure for 2006 and 2007 on (i) staff, (ii) scholarships to lecturers/professors and (iii) administration? [Dr. T. Gopeesingh]

University of the West Indies (Status of Internal Audit)

103. Could the hon. Minister of Science, Technology and Tertiary Education state: (a) whether any internal audit has ever been done at the University of

the West Indies since its inception;

(b) if the answer to (a) is in the negative, why not;

(c) if the answer to (a) is in the affirmative, for what years, and have they been reviewed by the Auditor General; and

(d) has the Auditor General ever conducted an audit of the University of Trinidad and Tobago? [Dr. T. Gopeesingh]

Official Overseas Travel 107. Could the hon. Minister of Finance state:

(a). What was the actual annual Government expenditure on official overseas travel (airfares) from 2006—2007?

(b). What is the projected expenditure on official travel for 2008? (c). How many aircraft travel hours are envisaged for 2008? [Mr. J. Warner]

Purchase of Blimp/Sky Ship 111. (a). Could the hon. Minister of National Security give the name(s) of the

person(s) and/or organization(s) which negotiated the purchase and /or lease of each blimp/sky ship on behalf of the State?

(b). Could the Minister give the name(s) of the person(s) and/or organization(s) which negotiated the purchase and/or lease of each blimp/sky ship on behalf of the suppliers?

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(c). Were anti-corruption clauses inserted in the contracts for the purchase and/or lease of each blimp and/or sky ship? [Mr. S. Panday]

Palo Seco Agricultural Enterprises Limited (Details of Projects Undertaken)

115. With respect to the Palo Seco Agricultural Enterprises Limited (PSAEL), could the hon. Minister of Local Government state:

(a) the names of those constituencies which are approved for infrastructure projects to be undertaken by that company;

(b) the criteria used to identify constituencies for approval for PSAEL projects; and

(c) the quantum of moneys spent in 2007 on projects undertaken by the company? [Dr. R. Moonilal]

Prime Minister’s Visit to Jamaica (Cost of)

118. Could the hon. Minister of Finance state:

(a). What was the cost to the State for the Prime Minister to travel to Jamaica by private jet on or around March 19, 2008?

(b). What was the purpose of this visit to Jamaica? [Mr. J. Warner]

Chaguanas Magistrates’ Court (Functioning of)

119. Could the hon. Attorney General advise when will the Chaguanas Magistrates’ Court become functional in the premises rented by Government on Ramsaran Street, Chaguanas? [Mr. J. Warner]

Local School Boards (Details of Constitution)

125. Could the hon. Minister of Education state:

(a) the government schools in which the local school board has been constituted and the date each board was constituted;

(b) whether any of the boards listed in (a) were constituted by Order in accordance with section 23(1) of the Education Act, and the date(s) of the respective Order(s); and

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(c) the government schools in which no school board has been appointed and the reason(s) for failure to constitute local school boards for each of these schools? [Mrs. K. Persad-Bissessar]

Local School Boards (Annual Reports Submitted)

126. Could the hon. Minister of Education state: (a) the local school boards which have submitted annual reports in

accordance with section 23(1) of the Education Act, and the date(s) of each report;

(b) what were the major areas of concern raised in the annual reports submitted and the steps taken by the Ministry to address these concerns;

(c) the local school boards which have not submitted the requisite annual reports and indicate what steps have been taken to have these boards act in accordance with the law; and

(d) the amounts paid to each local school board to date? [Mrs. K. Persad-Bissessar]

New Bridge (Harripaul Village Intersection)

128. Could the hon. Minister of Works and Transport indicate:

(a) when construction will begin on a new bridge to replace the old, dilapidated, wooden bridge currently at the Harripaul Village intersection with the M2 Ring Road, Debe;

(b) what is the estimated cost for construction of the new bridge;

(c) when is construction of the said bridge scheduled to be completed? [Dr. R. Moonilal]

National Commission for Self Help (Mayaro/Rio Claro)

134. With respect to the National Commission for Self Help, could the hon. Minister of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs state:

(a) the numbers and types of projects funded and undertaken, within the region of Mayaro/Rio Claro for the period January 2006—February 2008; and

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(b) the cost of each project undertaken, the location and the status/outcome of these activities? [Mr. W. Peters]

Mayaro/Rio Claro Region (New Community Centres)

135. With respect to the Community Centres Programme, could the hon. Minister of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs state: (a) whether new community centres will be built within the Mayaro/Rio

Claro region during the period 2008—2010; (b) if the answer to (a) is in the affirmative, at what locations and what

is the proposed cost of each; (c) whether refurbishment/repairs will be undertaken to the existing

community centres within the Mayaro/Rio Claro region; and (d) if the answer to (c) is in the affirmative, which centres are earmarked

for deve--lopment, what is the budget for these works and what are the proposed dates for commencement? ? [Mr. W. Peters]

Mayaro Indoor Sport Facility 136. With respect to the Mayaro Indoor Sport Facility, could the hon. Minister

of Sport and Youth Affairs state: (a) the cost of works undertaken on the facility to date, the status of

works thus far and the due date for completion and handover; and (b) the name/s of the contractor/s employed on this project, the services

provided and at what cost? [Mr. W. Peters]

Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago Projects Undertaken and Cost

137. With respect to the Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago (SPORTT), could the hon. Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs state: (a) the total expenditure incurred to date by this special purpose company,

all projects undertaken and completed for inspection from the inception of this entity to March 2008;

(b) the individual cost for each project identified and the names of the various contractors; and

(c) all ongoing projects, its estimated cost thus far, location and proposed completion dates? [Mr. W. Peters]

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Local Government Reform (Consultations on)

141. Could the hon. Minister of Local Government state:

(a) how many consultations were held on local government reform; and

(b) the venues, dates and public attendance at each consultation listed in (a)? [Mr. S. Panday]

Questions, by leave, deferred

Justice Monica Barnes Report (Recommendations)

71. Mr. Nizam Baksh (Naparima) asked the hon. Minister of Social Development to inform this House:

(a) if the Government has received the Justice Monica Barnes Report;

(b) if the answer to (a) is in the affirmative, when this report will be laid in Parliament; and

(c) what are the recommendations made in the report and whether these recommendations are being implemented?

The Minister of Social Development (Hon. Dr. Amery Browne): The report prepared by Madam Justice Monica Barnes was received by the Ministry of Social Development and has been reviewed by Cabinet. Given that this report contains personal, sensitive and private medical information about Amy Anamanthodo and her relatives, the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is of the view that it is not prudent that the document be laid in Parliament.

The recommendations made by Madam Justice Barnes and the corresponding current and/or proposed initiatives are as follows:

Recommendation No. 1: That urgent consideration be given to the establishment of a unified social service as part of the Trinidad and Tobago public service. This new service would have well-defined systems of accountability with the opportunity for career advancement, continuing education and training would be encouraged.

Whilst the immediate creation within the public service of a single social service is not feasible at this time, the Government, through the Ministry of Social Development has embarked on the decentralization of the delivery of social services to enable easier access of services to clients and other stakeholders. This

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process would facilitate greater synergy in service delivery, consistent with the recommendation made by Madam Justice Barnes for a unified social service.

Under this initiative, social service delivery centres would be established in the various municipal regions of Trinidad and Tobago and would be staffed by both generic social workers and specialist social workers who would conduct field visits to investigate cases and treat with both referrals and walk-in clientele.

Cases would be assessed and treatment plans would be formulated for clients or they would be referred to more appropriate services as deemed necessary. This system would not only address greater efficiency and efficacy of service delivery, but would also be proactive through the diagnosis of needs and problems of individuals, households and communities.

Toward this end, the Ministry of Social Development has engaged the services of a consultant to guide the implementation of the decentralized model of social service delivery. The consultant commenced a two-year contract on October 01, 2007 and reports to a steering committee within the Ministry of Social Development on a monthly basis.

A pilot project which would involve the various divisions of the Ministry of Social Development is anticipated to commence in October, 2008, and it would be evaluated at the end of the first year of operation. Once the approach has been tested and evaluated, the decentralized system of service delivery would encompass all the relevant social services across the sector It is expected that this approach would eliminate gaps between the operations of various departments.

Recommendation No. 2: That for greater efficiency in the execution of social work, this service would maintain its own management information system so that a social worker in any part of Trinidad and Tobago could discover which social worker is dealing with which client.

We are pleased to report that Cabinet, in February 2008, approved the implementation of an Integrated Social Enterprise Management System (ISEMS). The ISEMS is designed specifically to meet the unique requirements of the ministry’s social services delivery units, inclusive of the social welfare, probation, national family services, adoption and community mediation services divisions, the targeted Conditional Cash Transfer Programme and the Division of Ageing. This ISEMS is also being designed to facilitate information sharing amongst social work professionals across different ministries. Phase I of this project will commence in July, 2008.

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Oral Answers To Questions Friday, June 06, 2008 [HON. DR. A. BROWNE]

Recommendation No. 3: That a commensurate increase in manpower be promptly brought on board since more and more clients are requiring the services of social workers.

The Ministry of Social Development has set about treating with the expansion of the provision of counselling and other social service interventions through the proposed expansion of its National Family Services Division.

In addition to the 25 approved technical positions within the structure of this division, it is being proposed that 67 additional technical positions be created at various levels of seniority to adequately address the needs of the population.

Additionally, the Ministry of Social Development has obtained Cabinet’s approval for the implementation of a national parenting programme, which is intended to promote the maintenance of healthy family functioning and strengthening the relationship between family and community by ensuring that parents are equipped with the necessary skills to effectively meet the psychosocial needs of their children.

The programme would comprise three broad components: parenting education, parenting training and parenting support. The programme would also seek to establish community family support centres subsidized by the Government and operated by non-governmental organizations. The aim of this thrust is to improve the linkages between parents and support services that are currently available in Trinidad and Tobago and reduce the gaps that may exist in service provision.

The decentralization of social services delivery mentioned previously, would also address the need for adequate social services to treat with the needs of the population.

Recommendation No. 4: That having regard to the nature of social work and the ongoing necessity for social workers to go into unfamiliar communities to look for or enquire after their clients assistance should be provided for the acquisition of reliable means of transport.

Across the social sector, social workers and officers in related social service delivery positions are provided with travelling allowances, in the case of positions on the establishments and transport allowance with respect to contract posts. Travelling officers are eligible to access the facility of vehicle loans. In the case of contract positions, this facility is usually available where the contract period spans three years or more.

Additionally, Cabinet, in considering the recommendations emanating from the report prepared by Madam Justice Barnes, gave approval for the Ministry of

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Social Development to pursue the necessary administrative procedures to address those situations where allowances are currently not paid.

Recommendation No. 5: That the Children’s Authority be established as a matter of urgency.

The status of the implementation of processes related to the establishment of the Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago is as follows:

(a) the two related Bills; the Children’s Authority (Amdt.) Bill and the Children’s Community Residences, Foster Homes and Nurseries (Amdt.) Bill have been placed on the Order Paper of this honourable House Additionally, the Ministry of Social Development has been holding discussions with key stakeholders on the establishment of the Children’s Authority with a view to facilitating the smooth implementation of the provisions of this legislation; and

(b) the establishment of a Cabinet appointed multi-disciplinary committee to advise the Ministry of Social Development on the establishment of the Children’s Authority and the enhancement of social services. The work of this committee is ongoing.

Further, in order to address key operational issues and issues of conditions of work and opportunities for social workers as raised by Madam Justice Barnes, the Ministry of Social Development has recommended that consideration be given to the implementation of certain initiatives in the short to medium term. The recommended initiatives have been accepted by Cabinet and are listed as follows:

(a) the development by the Ministry of Health of clear protocols for the management of suspected cases of abuse, non-accidental injuries and statutory rape that may present themselves at health care facilities;

(b) the reclassification of social workers including probation officers by means of an upgrade of professional status;.

(c) the re-evaluation of remuneration packages to attract qualified social workers to the public service;

(d) the provision of increased opportunities for professional enhancement including scholarships and relevant training. The Ministry of Social Development has engaged in dialogue with relevant tertiary education providers to introduce programmes and/or particular modules as deemed necessary; and

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Oral Answers To Questions Friday, June 06, 2008 [HON. DR. A. BROWNE]

(e) the establishment of a staff support system to provide counselling support to social workers.

Cabinet also accepted the recommendations made by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health that emanated from the review of the report prepared by Madam Justice Barnes. These recommendations are now listed:

(a) collaboration between the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Social Development to formulate policies to address the issues of truancy and absenteeism; to establish a national hotline for students at risk taking into account the existence of other hotlines; ensure that children who contracts sexually transmitted infections receive treatment while maintaining the rights of the child and confidentiality of those matters; and that young persons access reproductive health care

1.45 p.m. (b) pending the establishment of the Children's Authority, steps are to be

taken to institute procedures in the magistracy with respect to the investigation and reporting by probation officers regarding matters involving children at risk of abuse, abandonment and neglect;

(c) enforcement of the Sexual Offences (Amdt.) Act, 2000 with respect to the mandatory reporting of child abuse;

(d) conduct by the Domestic Violence Unit of the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs of widespread and sustained sensitization programmes for the community in respect of domestic violence;

(e) adoption of an inter-agency approach, among the Ministry of Social Development, Ministry of National Security, prison services and the court system, to establish a programme of mandatory counselling for perpetrators of child abuse and rehabilitative therapy for those persons;

(f) conduct of sensitization programmes for police officers, doctors, social workers and other relevant professionals, with respect to the reporting of and response to cases of physical and sexual child abuse.

The time frame for implementation of these recommendations hinges on collaboration with other relevant agencies such as the Chief Personnel Officer's Department, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Public Administration.

Mr. Speaker: Supplemental?

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Mr. Baksh: Will the hon. Minister be willing to provide us with that report minus those personal details on Amy Annamunthudo and her family? I think this is going to be very helpful and a guide for us.

Hon. Dr. A. Browne: As I stated earlier, Mr. Speaker, the report contains personal, sensitive and private medical information and we are willing to consider the recommendation of the Member for Naparima with regard to omission of those considerable details and possible provisions.

Mr. Sharma: Let me congratulate the Minister on his long answer. Is the Minister aware that the report is available to any citizen under the Freedom of Information?

Hon. Dr. A. Browne: Please file that as a separate question, Member.

Mr. Speaker: Member for Caroni East. One second, do you have a further supplemental?

Dr. Gopeesingh: No, no, it was answered through the question from the—

Mr. Speaker: Member for Caroni East.

Health Institutions (Staffing)

98. Dr. Tim Gopeesingh (Caroni East) asked the hon. Minister of Health:

Could the Minister state the number of doctors, state registered nurses and enrolled nursing assistants that are required at each of the following health institutions, and the number of vacancies that currently exist:

(a) Port of Spain General Hospital;

(b) San Fernando General Hospital;

(c) Mount Hope Maternity Hospital;

(d) Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex; and

(e) Sangre Grande Hospital?

The Minister of Health (Sen. The Hon. Jerry Narace): Thank you. Mr. Speaker, as at December 2007, the approved staff arrangements and a number of vacancies that existed at the Port of Spain General Hospital, San Fernando General Hospital, Mount Hope Maternity Hospital, Eric Williams Medial Sciences Complex

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Oral Answers To Questions Friday, June 06, 2008 [SEN. THE HON. J. NARACE]

and Sangre Grande Hospital for doctors, registered nurses and enrolled nursing assistants were as follows:

(a) Port of Spain General Hospital

APPROVED POSITIONS FILLED VACANCIES

DOCTORS

House Officers

SMO/Consultants

Registrars

135

44

31

114

40

25

21

4

6

Totals 210 179 31 NURSING PERSONNEL

Registered Nurses 326 214 112

Enrolled Nursing Assistants

274

254

20

Totals 600 468 132

(b) San Fernando General Hospital


DOCTORS

House Officers

SMO/Consultants

Registrars

184

71

74

144

43

31

40

28

43




537

249

288

Totals 1687 935 752

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(c) Mount Hope Maternity Hospital


DOCTORS

House Officers

SMO/Consultants

Registrars

18

10

17

18

6

10

0

4

7




60

47

13

Totals 109 96 13

(d) Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex


DOCTORS

House Officers

SMO/Consultants

Registrars

182

52

48

180

46

21

2

6

27

Totals 282 247 35

NURSING PERSONNEL



205

114

91

Totals 925 634 291

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(e) Sangre Grande Hospital


DOCTORS

House Officers

SMO/Consultants

Registrars

28

18

14

18

7

8

10

11

6




113

93

20

Totals 286 222 64

Summary of Doctors and Nursing staff at various hospitals

LIST OF HOSPITALS APPROVED POSITIONS FILLED VACANCIES

Port of Spain General Hospital Total Doctors

Total Nurses

210

600

179

468

31

132

San Fernando General Hospital Total Doctors

Total Nurses

329

1687

218

935

111

752

Mt. Hope Maternity Hospital Total Doctors

Total Nurses

45

109

34

96

11

13

17


LIST OF HOSPITALS APPROVED POSITIONS FILLED VACANCIES

Eric Williams Med. Sci. Complex Total Doctors

Total Nurses

282

925

247

634

35

291

Sangre Grande Hospital Total Doctors

Total Nurses

60

286

33

222

27

64

Total Doctors

Total Nurses

926

3,607

711

2,355

215

1,252

The total number of approved positions for doctors and nurses in the above-mentioned hospitals was 926 and 3,607, respectively. The number of filled positions was 711 and 2,355, respectively, and the number of vacant positions was 215 and 1,252, respectively.

During the period 1996—2001, the number of physicians in our health institutions increased from 957—1,234, an increase of 29 per cent. However, for the period 2002—2007, the number of physicians in the health sector increased from 1,054—1,543, an increase of 46 per cent.

The Ministry of Health has developed both a short and long-term policy framework to reduce the shortage of health care professionals in the health sector. In 2004, Cabinet agreed to increase the intake of medical interns from 76—176, of which only 122 posts were utilized. In addition, an additional 36 posts were accredited in February 2008, thereby increasing the accommodation of medical interns to 158 posts. Therefore, once the positions are filled the vacancy level of 215 doctors as at December 2007, should be reduced by the end of this year to 57, a decrease of 73 per cent.

2.00 p.m.

Hon. Members, the average number of graduates from the Doctor of Medicine Programme in the Faculty of Medical Sciences has been 110. It is expected by the end of this year that the number of graduates would decrease the existing vacancy levels of 215 by 51 per cent. The Ministry of Health recognizes that these numbers are

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still inadequate to meet the required demand in our health institutions and has opted to import doctors to offer external scholarships for students to pursue such careers. That is to import doctors or offer external scholarships for students to pursue such careers.

The Ministry of Health has developed Government to Government technical cooperation arrangements with Cuba and the Philippines during the period 2003—2007 respectively. At the end of 2007, the total number of Cuban and Filipino doctors who were recruited was 67 and 12, respectively. In addition, the regional Health Authorities have been employing doctors from India and Nigeria in order to further reduce the vacancy levels in our health institutions.

However, in order to ensure some degree of sustainability in the long term, the Ministry of Health via the scholarship division in the Ministry of Public Administration commencing, in 2004, awarded scholarships to 124 students pursuing a five-year degree in medicine at the St. George’s University in Grenada. The number of graduates expected to return to our health institutions from this programme are four in 2008, three in 2009, 35 in 2010, 30 in 2011, 27 in 2012 and 25 in 2013. This would add to the complement of doctors in our health institutions and thus further reduce the vacancy levels.

Mr. Speaker, I would now elaborate on the ongoing initiatives in our nursing programme. The total number of nurses in our health institutions increased from 3,151 in 1996 to 3,532 in 2001, an increase of only 12 per cent. However, the number of nurses increased from 3,815 in 2002 to 4,677 in 2007, an increase of 23 per cent. [Desk thumping] Can I repeat those numbers?

Hon. Member: Yes, you may. Sen. The Hon. J. Narace: I want to repeat those numbers. The total number

of nurses in our health institutions increased from 3,151 in 1996 to 3,532 in 2001, an increase of only 12 per cent. However, the number of nurses increased from 3,815 in 2002 to 4,677 in 2007, an increase of 23 per cent.

In our nursing programmes, there are a number of basic and post-basic level training programmes, that have been developed to address the chronic shortage of nurses in our health institutions and to further develop the specialized skills of our existing nurses. These programmes are as follows:

Basic Nursing Courses:

• Diploma in General Nursing;

• Associate Science Degree in General Nursing at COSTAATT;

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• Diploma in Psychiatric Nursing; and

• Associate Science Degree in Psychiatric Nusring at COSTAAT.

Post Basic Nursing Courses:

• Diploma in Health Visiting;

• Bachelors Degree Programme in Nursing in 2003;

• Nursing Management Programme;

• Critical Care Nursing Post-Basic Programme;

• Neonatal Nursing Post-Basic Programme;

• Renal Nursing Post-Basic Programme;

• Trauma Nursing Post-Basic Programme;

• Midwifery Nursing Post-Basic Programme; and

• Operating Theatre Post-Basic Nursing Programme.

Mr. Speaker, the number of applicants in these basic nursing programmes has increased from 428 in 2002 to 1,389 students in 2006, representing an overall increase of 224 per cent. I want to repeat that, Mr. Speaker, the number of applicants in these basic nursing programmes has increased from 428 in 2002 to 1,389 students in 2006, representing an overall increase of over 224 per cent. Also, there were 1,506 first time graduates in various nursing programmes during the period 2002—2007 and this has accounted for the substantial increase of 23 per cent in the number of nursing personnel working in our public health institutions. [Interruption]

Currently, they are 1,510 students training in nursing programmes throughout the country. The College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago (COSTAATT) has 764 nursing students currently enrolled in their programme, while the Ministry of Health has 746. Therefore, the total number of trained nurses in our programmes of 1,510 would be sufficient to fill the 1,252 nursing vacancies in our heath institutions.

However, the Ministry of Health noted—[Interruption]

Mr. Speaker: Order!

Mr. Ramnath: The man is irrelevant.

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Sen. The Hon. J. Narace:—that there are a number of factors—[Interruption] We know this is an important matter, we want to address it for you. Treat you with respect.

Mr. Ramnath: No, nobody asked you.

Mr. Speaker: Order!

Sen. The Hon. J. Narace: However, the Ministry of Health noted that there are a number of factors that reduces the working population of nurses such as early retirement and migration, and this adversely affects the performance of our health institutions. Given the current nurse training capacity, it is projected that the average number of students trained in nursing annually would be 750, while the average number of nurses leaving the profession annually would be 575. This would represent an annual growth rate of 30 per cent, thus allowing nursing shortages to be eliminated by the year 2015.

The Ministry of Health recognizes that the nursing shortages must be addressed in a timely manner and therefore has imported additional nurses from Cuba and the Philippines. At the end of 2007, the total number of Cuban and Filipino nurses recruited was 138 and 200, respectively. This government is mindful of the need to further expand the number of trained health care professionals and recognizes as well, the need to increase the number of health training facilities and programmes. To achieve these desired results, the Ministry of Health is assiduously finalizing arrangements with tertiary care institutions such as the College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago (COSTAATT), the University of the West Indies (UWI) and the University of the Southern Caribbean in order to increase the number of places in their nursing training programmes.

In addition, we are proposing to hold discussions with our Caribbean colleagues in St. Vincent and the Grenadines to employ an additional 75 nurses.

Mr. Sharma: What about Guyana? Sen. The Hon. J. Narace: If we are successful with this recruitment this

would further increase the nursing staff in our health institutions. [Interruption] The ongoing development of the Caricom Single Market and Economy would indeed foster a greater complement of health care professionals—[Laughter]

Mr. Ramnath: You are laughing as if it is a joke.

Sen. The Hon. J. Narace:—across the region, in particular Trinidad and Tobago due to the expansion and development of our health care facilities and programmes.

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Mr. Speaker, the long term view of our staff complement in the health sector is critical to the development of a nurturing caring society. In order to widen the base of health care professionals, the Ministry of Health in 2006 obtained parliamentary approval to increase the eligible age of persons entering the nursing profession from 35 to 45. Additionally, the Regional Health Authorities hired retired nurses to ensure continuity and sustainability of the operations in our health care institutions. Further, the Ministry of Health has noted that recently, Barbados has reduced the entry age in the nursing profession from 17 to 16 years in order to alleviate the shortage of health care professionals. The Ministry of Health intends to hold discussions with the relevant authority in that country to explore that initiative as an additional option to increase this country’s nursing supply. [Interruption]

Further, Mr. Speaker, as a medium to long term measure, Cabinet approved a $100 million Scholarship and Bursary Programme, in 2007, in order to facilitate greater access to the wider scope of health related tertiary programmes at the local, regional and international levels.

Mr. Ramnath: How many from Couva—[Inaudible]

Sen. The Hon. J. Narace: This would indeed increase the enrolment and the scope of learning across different functionalities within the health sector, while satisfying the increasing demand for health care professionals.

Mr. Sharma: [Inaudible]

Sen. The Hon. J. Narace: If you check on the website you will see the caravan that goes all through the country.

Lastly, Mr. Speaker, the Ministry of Health through its human resources development plans for health care professionals recognizes that much emphasis must be placed on having the nation’s youth select professions in health care as preferred career options. [Interruption] Towards this end, the Ministry of Health in partnership with the Ministry of Education hosted a Career Health Fair in April 2007. This career fair highlighted all the possible career paths and various opportunities in the health sector which are available to the nation’s youth. [Interruption]

Mr. Speaker: Order!

Sen. The Hon. J. Narace: The hosting of the Career Health Fair would be continued by the Ministry in every district in Trinidad and Tobago—[Interruption]

22


Mr. Speaker: Order!

Sen. The Hon. J. Narace:—as a strategy to attract young people into various careers in the health sector from all over the country.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Health hosted a National Nursing Symposium in mid-April 2008 to highlight the issues and challenges impacting on the Nursing Practice in Trinidad and Tobago. The Symposium presented some of the training gaps in the nursing profession and introduced a structured framework to deliver patient care with concurrent documentation. This would further re-engineer the working processes of nurses and improve the delivery of patient care in our health institutions.

Indeed, the alignment of the human resource strategic plan for the health care profession along with the goals of Vision 2020 would ensure that within the next seven years the chronic shortage of trained staff would be eliminated. The substantial investment by this caring Government in health care professionals over the last six years and its commitment to continue investing in the development of this cadre of human resources demonstrates its will to alleviate the continuous staff shortages in the health sector in the short, medium and long term.

I thank you, Mr. Speaker.

2.15 p.m. Dr. Gopeesingh: Mr. Speaker, could I ask the hon. Minister, out of the 215

vacancies for doctors, I have summarized here 142 vacancies for senior doctors which means registrars and consultants and you have enumerated 150-plus posts for interns, what plans do you have to fill these 158 vacancies for the senior doctors which is one of the most important aspects of health care delivery?

Sen. The Hon. J. Narace: Mr. Speaker, that is a separate question [Laughter] Mr. Sharma: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Two quick questions One—

Mr. Speaker: Before you ask a brief question, because of the length of time the Minister took in answering that question, I am just permitting it on this occasion, but be quick and very brief.

Mr. Sharma:—a number of citizens are not aware when these scholarships are advertised to go to Grenada; and the second one, in terms of approximately of $1 million we spent on recruiting through the Ministry of Health in London, what came out of that, when the Minister went previously?

Sen. The Hon. Narace: Mr. Speaker, I do not have that information with me now, but if he poses it, I would be more than happy to answer it.

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EXPIRATION OF QUESTION TIME

Mr. Speaker: Hon. Members, questions Nos. 108 and 123 will be answered in accordance with Standing Order 19(7), which means that the answers must be passed on to the Clerk and they will be circulated.

WRITTEN ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS

The following questions stood on the Order Paper:

Bombardier Executive Private Jet (Details of)

108. With respect to the purchase of a Bombardier Executive Private Jet for use by the Government, could the hon. Minister of Finance state:

(a) what is the financial commitment to Caribbean Airlines Limited for the annual upkeep of the jet beyond the guaranteed 600 hours; and

(b) what is the cost of the 600 hours to the Government? [Mr. J. Warner]

The Minister of Finance (Hon. Karen Nunez-Tesheira): This Question is hypothetical and therefore cannot be answered because the jet was never purchased.

De-shifting of Schools (Details of)


(a) the schools which have been de-shifted together with the date of de-shifting of each school; and

(b) the estimated and actual costs of de-shifting of each school mentioned in (a) together with a breakdown of expenditure for each in the areas of (i) construction (ii) equipping (iii) furnishing and (iv) any other costs? [Mrs. K. Persad-Bissessar]

Ministries Advertisements in 2007 (Money spent)

59. Dr. Hamaz Rafeeq (Caroni Central) asked the hon. Minister of Information:

Could the Minister inform this honourable House as to how much money was spent by each Ministry on advertisement, promotion and publication to each of the media houses in 2007?

Vide end of sitting for written answers.

24

Definite Urgent Matter (Leave) Friday, June 06, 2008

DEFINITE URGENT MATTER (LEAVE)

Escalated Crime of Murder (Inability of Government to deal with)

Mr. Subhas Panday (Princes Town North): Thank you very much. Mr. Speaker, in accordance with Standing Order 12 of the House of Representatives, I hereby seek your leave to move the adjournment of this honourable House for the purpose of discussing a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely the inability of the Government to deal with the escalated crime of murder.

The matter is definite because it concerns the most heinous and violent crime of murder of six persons within the last 24 hours. I might have to do something to amend the Motion by saying, from the time of drafting this Motion, the news report has revealed another person has been killed, Miss Jacob, in Diego Martin.

The matter is urgent because of the necessity to immediately embark upon a course of action which will stem or reduce the murder rate and the rate of other serious and violent crimes.

The matter is of public importance because the Government appears to be unable and lack the will, ability, concerns and strategies to deal with serious crimes especially the high murder rate.

Mr. Speaker: Hon. Members, I really and truly empathize with the Member for Princes Town North because what he has raised here, really, is beyond public importance, it is of national importance. Regrettably, it does not qualify under this particular Standing Order. Let me take the opportunity to remind the Government that there is a Government Motion on crime, and perhaps the Government could consider setting aside a day or two to complete that Motion because this matter is really of national importance.

Mr. S. Panday: Mr. Speaker, I thank you very much. STATEMENT BY MINISTER

Caroni (1975) Limited (Closure of)

The Minister of Finance (Hon. Karen Nunez-Tesheira): Thank you, Mr. Speaker I wish to apprise this honourable House on the decision of Cabinet taken on May 23, 2008 to access over the period 2008—2011, €41.643 million or TT

25

Statement By Minister Friday, June 06, 2008

$413.72 million from the European Commission. The grant funding represents financial support by the European Commission for the accompanying measures for the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, one of the sugar protocol countries and is provided in the context of the National Adaptation Strategy for Trinidad and Tobago.

Mr. Speaker, Trinidad and Tobago has benefited from the provisions of the sugar protocol of the Lomé Convention and its successor, the Cotonou Agreement.

The sugar protocol provided access to the European market for specific quantities of sugar exports from a number of countries in the African, Caribbean and specific areas. Market access was based on a guaranteed price for an indefinite period of time. Over the past three decades, the protocol has allowed Trinidad and Tobago to export raw sugar to the European Union at preferential prices. Recognizing that the reform of the market structure being driven by the World Trade Organization would lead to adverse socio-economic consequences in sugar dependent regions of the protocol countries, the European Union established the accompanying measures for sugar protocol countries affected by the reform of the European Union sugar regime.

The European Union also supported the accompanying measures with grant funding in the form of budget support, and Trinidad and Tobago as one of the sugar protocol countries had access to such funding with a final decision to be made by August 31, 2008.

The grant funding being made available by the European Commission would assist, though moderately, in offsetting the substantial and committed expenditure undertaken by the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in the restructuring of the sugar industry. Very importantly, the funding is in the form of sector budget support and does not accrue to any group of individuals—be they private farmers or former employees of Caroni. Indeed, as a financing agreement between the Government of Trinidad and Tobago and the European Commission puts it and I quote:

"The National Adaptation Strategy is a sector policy document which is incorporated in a wider national development policy and Vision 2020 and which is based on the Government's policy to disengage from the sugar industry and to end subsidies by the end of 2007."

Moreover, the Minister Counsellor and Chargé d' Affairs for the European Union, in a letter dated May 08, 2008, reinforces the fact that the grant funds

26

Statement By Minister Friday, June 06, 2008 [HON. K. NUNEZ-TESHEIRA]

would accrue to the national budget. The Minister Counsellor emphasized and I quote:

"We would like to remind you that the multi-annual programme will be implemented by sector budget support. In fact, the Accompanying Measures for Sugar Protocol Countries (AMSP) is a policy-based-instrument meaning that on the basis of progress made in implementation, the European Commission assistance would be channeled directly to the Ministry of Finance. The programme is in line with Cabinet's agreement in December 2002 to restructure the sugar industry. Actions taken by the Government to transform the sugar industry and support the sugar workers and farmers will also be taken into consideration when assessing progress made in the implementation of the Accompanying Measures for Sugar Protocol Countries. Throughout the year 2008 and in co-operation with you, we would define performance indicators to achieve the two objectives of the progamme:

(i) to promote economic diversification of the sugar-dependent areas; and (ii) to address broader impacts generated by the adaptation process related to

social, environmental, community and area-based issues." Mr. Speaker, bearing in mind that the Government of Trinidad and Tobago

had started the restructuring of the sugar industry in 2003 at a time when the European Union had not yet taken a decision to support financially sugar protocol countries, the European Union has agreed to certain minor modifications in the financing agreement and the execution of that agreement would take place shortly.

On execution of the financing agreement, the sector budget support would be delivered through annual tranches to the Ministry of Finance over the period 2008—2011 as follows:

• 2008—€6 million or TT $59.6 million;

• 2009—€9.974 million or TT $99.9 million;

• 2010—€10.702 million or TT $106.32 million; and

• 2011—€14.967 million or TT $148.70 million. As this honouable House is aware, the restructuring of the sugar industry

began in earnest in 2003 with the disengagement of the Government and Caroni (1975) Limited from the cultivation of sugarcane. The disengagement became complete with the exit of the Government in 2007 from the manufacturing of sugar, leaving that activity in the hands of the private sector. In fact, the sale of

27


the assets of the Sugar Manufacturing Company Limited to the Sugarcane Farmers Co-operative Society Limited is at an advanced stage of the completion.

Mr. Speaker, the restructuring of the sugarcane industry has been addressed by this Government in a framework which has met the highest standards of transparency and accountability and in an environment of collaborative and consultative arrangements. The 2003 disengagement from the cultivation of sugarcane was discussed at length between the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, led by a Ministerial Committee and major stakeholders in the industry, the five representative trade unions:

(i) The All Trinidad General Workers Trade Union, formerly, All Trinidad Sugar and General Workers Trade Union;

(ii) Association of Technical Administrative and Supervisory Staff;

(iii) Sugar Industry Staff Association;

(iv) Estate Police Association; and

(v) Sugar Boilers Association.

Meetings were also held with the four cane farming groups:

• Trinidad Island Wide Cane Farmers Association;

• Canefarmers’ Association of Trinidad and Tobago;

• Cane Producers' Association of Trinidad and Tobago; and

• Direct Delivery Canefarmers' Co-operative Society Limited. Mr. Speaker, consequent on that extensive and comprehensive collaboration

effort between the Government of Trinidad and Tobago and the stakeholders of the industry, broad agreement was arrived at on the conditions which would govern the disengagement of Government from the sugar industry. It was a phased process:

• Phase I involved the disengagement of the Government from sugar cultivation with the closure of Caroni (1975) Limited in August 2003 with the offers and acceptances of Voluntary Separation of Employment Plans (VSEP) by more than 9,000 former employees of Caroni;

2.30 p.m. • Phase II involved the transitional period with the establishment of the

Sugar Manufacturing Company Limited in 2003 to continue the manufacturing of sugar with sugar cane to be supplied by private farmers; and

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• Phase III involved the exit of Government in 2007 from the sugar industry with the sale of the assets of the Sugar Manufacturing Company to the private sector to be completed in 2008 and the assumption of responsibility by the private sector for the continuation of the sugar industry.

Mr. Speaker, under the terms of the financing agreement and upon execution, the Government would access immediately the first tranche drawdown of €6 million or TT $59.61 million. Subsequent drawdowns would be based on the actions which would have been undertaken by the Government in respect of the sugar industry.

I wish, on behalf of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, to reiterate the actions which have been taken by the Government or to which the Government is committed with appropriate timelines in respect of the former employees of Caroni, the majority of whom were involved in the cultivation of sugar:

1. Termination benefits and enhancements, amounting to $741.5 million, have been paid to more than 9,000 daily and monthly paid employees upon the closure of Caroni Limited in August 2003.

2. Creation of a pool of appropriately trained human resources of, approximately, 3,400 former employees of Caroni who were trained at a cost of, approximately, $16.5 million in areas of their choice: academic, technical or vocational skills, so as to allow them to take advantage of the demand for high value skills in the expanding manufacturing and industrial activities in Trinidad and Tobago.

It should be noted that financial and other counselling services facilitated that process.

3. Provision of alternate employment-generating alternatives in the agricultural sector through a mandate by the Government to the Estate Management and Business Development Company Limited to develop 17 agricultural estates at the cost of, approximately, $498.1 million to accommodate 7,248 former employees on 30 sub-estates on a phased basis. By December 2008, offers of leases would be made to all former employees and those leases are being offered at an annual price of $200 per hectare. In other words, each former employee would pay an annual rental of $200 for their two-acre sized plots.

4. Provision of alternate employment-generating alternatives in the industrial sector through a mandate by the Government to Evolving Technologies Limited (E-teck) to establish, approximately, 10 industrial estates throughout Trinidad and Tobago, including three on lands formerly owned by Caroni.

29


Those estates, together with the steel mill to be established, also on the lands formerly owned by Caroni, are creating substantial employment opportunities.

5. Provision of housing infrastructure through a mandate by the Government to the EMBD to develop 30 residential estates with water, roads, drainage, sewage disposals and electricity at a cost of $592.5 million to accommodate the 5,062 eligible former employees with the offer of leases at highly subsidized prices between $20,000 to $30,000 per lot, depending on location. The delivery of the 5,062 offers for leases would be completed by December 31, 2009, and subject to the eligibility, another 2,000 offers of leases could be made by that date.

6. Provision of secure pensions are at an advanced stage of being established for former employees of Caroni (1975) Limited, at a cost of $360 million, and the purchase of annuities should be in place by December 31, 2008.

Mr. Speaker, the Government has been able, through this comprehensive framework, to make a decisive difference in the lives of the former employees of Caroni. It has also sought to achieve a similar objective in the lives of the private cane farmers. The Government, through a ministerial committee, has negotiated an exit strategy from the sugar industry for the members of the sugar farming groups if they so desire. Four groups executed an agreement on the terms and conditions for the exit strategy.

1. Trinidad Islandwide Canefarmers' Association, on September 26, 2007; signed by Mr. Raffique Shah, Chairman.

2. Canefarmers' Association of Trinidad and Tobago, on September 26, 2007; signed by Mr. Dipchan Lall, President.

3. Direct Delivery Canefarmers' Co-operative Society Limited, on September 26, 2007; signed by Sundaresan Seepersad, President; and

4. The Sugarcane Farmers' Co-operative Society Limited on September 25, 2007; signed by Ramdeo Ramcharan, President.

The Cane Producers Association of Trinidad and Tobago, a small group of farmers led by Mr. Seukeram Tambie did not execute the agreement.

Let me share with this honourable House the terms and conditions of this agreement: 1. 3,420 farmers were deemed to be eligible to receive transitional support

from the Government, given the fact that they were cultivating sugarcane in any one of the two years, 2006 and 2007.

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2. Transitional support was determined on the basis of the average tonnage of sugarcane supplied to Caroni and the Sugar Manufacturing Company Limited during the four-year period 2003—2006; and

3. Payments were made on the basis of $70 per tonne for two and one and a half years, that is, from January 2008—June 2010.

Under these financial arrangements cane farmers were paid an amount equivalent to, approximately, $82 million, on the basis of an audit conducted by the accounting firm Ernst & Young. Moreover, under the provisions for indirect transitional support, the Government has put in place mechanisms to facilitate the rapid transition of cane farmers to alternative agricultural activities, by:

1. Making arrangements for farmers to become registered with the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Marine Resources to allow them to benefit from the incentives of the Agricultural Incentive Programme and to access the concessionary resources from the low interest window of the Agricultural Development Bank; and

2. Regularizing the status of those 6,000 sugarcane farmers who had tenancies with Caroni or who were squatting on state lands, through the issuance to them of agricultural leases under the applicable terms and conditions of the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Marine Resources.

This work, while challenging and demanding, is in progress. Those cane farmers who wish to remain in the industry have so indicated

through the decision by one of its groups, the Sugarcane Farmers’ Co-operative Society Limited, to purchase the assets of the Sugar Manufacturing Company Limited which transaction was approved by Cabinet on April 10, 2008. The co-operative would be allowed access to the factory on payment of the price of $7 million prior to the execution of the sale and purchase agreement.

Mr. Speaker, the closure of Caroni (1975) Limited in August 2003, represented an important policy imperative in the Government's quest to restructure the sugar industry and to place the lives of the former employees of Caroni and the cane farmers on a viable and productive basis. Unproductive land and capital assets have now been transformed into income-generating assets, and unskilled employees were empowered through a wide range of training and counselling programmes.

The expenditure has been substantially, but highly productive. Let me provide this honourable House with some details:

The Cost of VSEP and Farmers Programme $2,845,443 million

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Of which

Back pay for 2002—2004 $ 97.482 million

VSEP $ 741.455 million

Training $ 16.525 million

Pension payments 2002—2007 $ 439.395 million

Pension deficit $ 360.000 million

Development of 30 residential estates $ 592.450 million

Development of 17 agricultural estates $ 598.450 million

Cost for exit of farmers $ 82.000 million

Mr. S. Panday: National insurance payments!

Hon. K. Nunez-Tesheira: Mr. Speaker:

Additional cost for closing Caroni $4,781,519 million Arrears to creditors $ 149.919 million Administrative cost $ 127.496 million Legal and consultancy services $ 34.931 million Settlement of statutory liabilities $ 177.303 million Loan repayments $ 12.074 million Assumption of loans by the Government $3,429.796 million Assumption of guarantee loan—RBTT $ 719,000 million Assumption of guarantee loan—Citi $ 131.000 million Total cost for closing Caroni $7,708,962 million.

For almost three decades of operations Caroni was, essentially, a loss-making enterprise. In the period 1975-2002, the total financial support amounted to $4.755 billion. If the total cost of closing Caroni of $7.709 billion was added, Caroni would have utilized $12.464 billion in the period 1975—2008.

2.45 p.m. Mr. Speaker, the substantial resources expended by successive administrations

on maintaining Caroni (1975) Limited recognized the significant cultural and social economic contribution of the sugar industry to the economy of Trinidad and Tobago.

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Just two decades ago, sugarcane production accounted for 40—50 per cent of agricultural gross domestic product in Trinidad and Tobago, providing in the process substantial direct and indirect employment in the communities within and contiguous to the 76,608 acres formerly owned by Caroni (1975) Limited.

Mr. Speaker, it was these considerations which informed the policy agenda of the Government in 2002 when it embarked upon the restructuring of Caroni when it had become inevitable in its then existing corporate form and as one of the highest cost producers of sugar in the world was highly unlikely to achieve viability in the foreseeable future against the backdrop of international market condition.

The movement in the World Trade Organization to eliminate the preferential treatment afforded to ACP countries by the European Union would lead to a decline in the price of sugar and further impair the financial condition of Caroni (1975) Limited which is already in a feeble and fragile state. But, as a caring Government and bearing in mind its Vision 2020 objective of nurturing a caring society, this administration puts people at the centre of the developmental process. [Desk thumping]

Our policy efforts are all geared to build strong families and cohesive communities. This Government expended considerable resources in retraining and counselling the former employees of Caroni (1975) Limited and our memories of the more than 3,000 employees who participated in eight graduation ceremonies have left indelible marks on the consciences of all those who were involved in managing these programmes. The many speeches by valedictorians, lecturers and other facilitators have all left a legacy of hope and vision for a new day in the lives of so many.

Mr. Speaker, having outlined the various components of the restructuring of the sugar industry, I am sure that hon. Members would be all impressed with the fact that the restructuring represented a comprehensive plan for the economic diversification of the sugar-dependent areas. Let me assure this honourable House that the Government has provided the resources for the timely implementation of this most important restructuring project and given its importance, a ministerial committee has been providing oversight and guidance to the process.

We are confident that we shall now make a giant step forward in our quest to make Trinidad and Tobago a developed country by the year 2020. The Government is therefore moving full steam ahead with the implementation plan for the restructuring of the sugar industry for which, upon execution of a financing agreement by the end of June 2008, we would access a small grant of 6 million or $59.61 million from the European Union.

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In conclusion, I wish to reiterate that the total cost to the taxpayers for closing Caroni (1975) Limited and the restructuring of the sugar industry is $7.7 billion to date and still counting of which $82 million was paid directly to private cane farmers to allow them to exit the sugar industry. The grant funding from the European Union is designed to offset the cost to the Treasury of restructuring the sugar industry and, if in effect, budgetary support to the country as a whole, and is not intended to be used to make direct payments to any individual or groups. This fact is well known to the other side and to all concerned.

Finally, the budgetary support from the European Union of $413 million is barely 5 per cent of the $7.7 billion already spent by the Government on the restructuring of the sugar industry and is, relatively speaking, a drop in the ocean when compared to the tremendous financial support already given by this Government to this sector of the economy.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. RISING FOOD PRICES

(GOVERNMENT’S FAILURE TO CONTAIN)

[Fourth Day] Order read for resuming adjourned debate on question [January 25, 2008]: Be it resolved that this honourable House condemn the Government for its failure in containing food prices at affordable levels for the entire population. [Mr. H. Partap] Question again proposed. Mr. Speaker: On the last occasion, this matter came before the House, the

hon. Member for Caroni Central, Dr. Hamza Rafeeq was on his legs. He has two minutes of original time remaining.

Dr. H. Rafeeq: Mr. Speaker, bearing in mind the abuse of privileges by the Government at today’s sitting, in which on Private Members’ Day, one statement was made taking 36 minutes, I have written you and copied it to the Leader of Government Business asking that the practice of adjourning Parliament on Private Members’ Day at tea time be stopped and the Standing Orders be adhered to and that we adjourn Parliament on Private Members’ Day at 8 o’clock or thereafter by mutual consent.

I hope that this will receive the urgent attention that it deserves. [Desk thumping]

Mr. Speaker, I also want to say before my two minutes end that because of the statement by the hon. Minister of Finance, I had a motion, a matter to be discussed

34

Rising Food Prices Friday, June 06, 2008 [DR. RAFEEQ]

on the Motion on the Adjournment and for the time being I will withdraw it, review the statement made by the Minister of Finance and ask if she has any documents to provide us to review and if necessary, we will refile that motion.

Mr. Speaker: Hon. Members, the speaking time of the hon. Member for Caroni Central has expired.

Motion made, That the hon. Member’s speaking time be extended by 30 minutes. [Dr. T. Gopeesingh]

Question put and agreed to.

Dr. H. Rafeeq: Mr. Speaker, today we are talking about high food prices and how to contain them and give citizens some relief especially those at the lower end of the economic ladder.

Mr. Speaker, what use is this discussion to the 220 persons who have been killed this year? What use is this discussion to the six or seven persons who have been killed within the last 24 hours? What use is this discussion to all of us when we do not know who next will be killed, raped, robbed and dumped at the side of the road or in the forest? I really do not know, and the citizens of this country really do not know what more it would take to shame the Minister of National Security into tendering his resignation as Minister.

Mr. Speaker, we have to get on with the nation's business and we have to discuss this Motion—[Interruption] I am not afraid of you, I am really not afraid of you, honestly. I know you are trying your endeavour best to shut up the Opposition, but I am telling you I am really not afraid of you. You can try as much as you wish.

Mr. Speaker, every country in this world recognizes that there is a food crisis taking place and each country is putting things in place to deal with this crisis. Even the small countries within the Caribbean are putting things in place to deal with this crisis, but we in Trinidad and Tobago cannot even admit, come to terms with the fact, or say that yes, there is a problem and we have to deal with it.

Recently, the Minister of Agriculture, Land and Marine Resources, after breaking his silence asked: What crisis are you all talking about? Recently the farmers and those producing food are saying that because of the increase in costs of production, electricity and other things, soon the price of food would have to go up again.

Mr. Speaker, the Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki–moon is predicting that by 2030 this world would have to provide 50 per cent more food

35

Rising Food Prices Friday, June 06, 2008

to feed the world. Where do we in Trinidad and Tobago fit into all of this? What would our population be by 2030? How much more food will we require by then, and what are we doing to ensure that we have food to feed our population by 2030?

Over the past 30 or 40 years, we have been surviving on imported food because we have money from oil and gas and we have not advanced the agricultural sector but we buy food with the money from oil and gas but that option may not always be open to us. The time may come when the food-exporting countries of this world may recognize their strength and form a cartel like OPEC and so forth and then dictate the price of food which may very well be beyond us and if that does not happen, we may very well realize that one morning we may wake up and have a lot of money but no food to buy. Nobody owes us anything in this world, and if we truly want to have independence in this country, then we must develop some degree of food security for ourselves even if we do not have 100 per cent food security.

3.00 p.m. Just two days ago the former Prime Minister of Barbados, Mr. Owen Arthur,

said, in the Caribbean, we should plant food. We do not need him to tell us that, because we have been importing most of the food that we consume in Trinidad and Tobago. On the last day when we were debating this Motion I was making the point that in Trinidad and Tobago the Government needs to do two things to address this problem of food prices and food security in this country, especially to give some relief to those who are the lower end of the economic ladder. The first thing is that the Government needs to subsidize food, especially those basic food items for those who, as I said, are at the lower end of the economic ladder.

There are tens of thousands, as a matter of fact, maybe 100,000 persons in this country who are surviving on minimum wage, which means $10 per hour; it means $80 per day; it means $1,600 per month; $1,600 per month means that you still have to take out from that, national insurance, health surcharge—$33 per month—you still have to deduct from that, money for travelling to and from work. So that $1,600 translates into a lot less than that. Hundreds of thousands of persons in this country are surviving on that kind of income—$1,600 per month minimum wage. There are many persons who are pensioners and are surviving on less than that; there are some people, if it is 4 or 5 per cent—whatever the percentage is—who are unemployed, who are surviving on nothing, and there are people who are on other kinds of pension and social security who are surviving on less than that.

36


The Minister of Social Development said sometime ago—and we can quibble with this figure but we will not do so at this point—that there are about 17 per cent of the population living under the poverty line. Seventeen per cent of 1.4 million people translate into 238,000 persons living below the poverty line. He also said that of those, 22,000 are given the debit card and they are given some assistance in purchasing food. If you take 22,000 from 238,000, you still have 200,000 persons who are living below the poverty line with no form of assistance.

We are saying that you need to have some kind of subsidy; you need to give some kind of assistance to these persons so that they can put food on the table for themselves and for their families. Do you know what the response of the Prime Minister was when that was suggested? The Prime Minister said that he will not introduce any kind of food subsidy in this country because that can lead to corruption. Can you imagine that? Can you imagine the Prime Minister of a country saying that you cannot give food subsidy because that will lead to corruption? Can you imagine a Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago today saying that; a Prime Minister who is presiding over a country which is the most corrupt that it has ever been in the history of Trinidad and Tobago—[Desk thumping]—and he is saying that you cannot give food subsidy?

If that is the criteria by which you perform your activities in this country, then half of Trinidad and Tobago will have to shut down—at least half of Government’s operations. Because what about UDeCott? What about the Scarborough Hospital? What about the Oncology Centre? What about the Renal Dialysis Centres? What about the CEPEP operations which the Auditor General has said that there is so much corruption in? What about the Brian Lara Stadium in which there is so much corruption? It really pains me and it is a shame and disgrace to attach the name of one of the most prominent citizens in Trinidad and Tobago, one who has achieved international recognition, set so many records, and you attach his name to a project that is mired in so much corruption. I want to say that you should remove the name of Brian Lara from that promenade and you should do it as quickly as possible.

The Prime Minister today has unprecedented levels of income, the highest that we have ever had in the history of Trinidad and Tobago. What would be the legacy of this Prime Minister when he demits office after so many people cannot buy food in this country? Do you know what legacy this Prime Minister would leave? I am sorry he is not here today. The legacy he would leave is that he has presided over the bloodiest period in the history of Trinidad and Tobago. [Desk thumping] He has presided over a period where we have the most gruesome crimes being committed against people, especially the children of this country.

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He has so much money at his disposal and, as I said, people cannot get food for themselves and their children. The Prime Minister has presided over a country where he destroyed—and the Minister of Finance just made reference to it—the largest farm in Trinidad and Tobago and five years after he cannot give 100 ex-sugar workers leases to plant their land. Just a few days ago they gave out 88, after five years. This is a Prime Minister who has built a house for himself for $150 million, and counting, and yet there are people in this country who are starving and who cannot put food on their table. I want to tell the Prime Minister, history will not be kind to him because in a country where there is so much money—unprecedented levels—and you have people in this country who still cannot put food on their table for themselves and their families. So you do not want to subsidize food. You can eat whatever you want. Your salary is over $100,000 a month—the Prime Minister and his wife—and there are people who cannot even get the crumbs that fall off his table. I am saying, if the Government wants to assist people in this country as far as the high food prices are concerned, the first thing they must do is to subsidize the basic items, especially for those who cannot buy.

The second thing they must do—there is no magic formula—is to grow more food. The Government itself must be involved in growing more food and it must do whatever is required, directly and indirectly, to facilitate those who want to get involved in the agricultural sector in Trinidad and Tobago. In this, there are certain things that the Government has to do. First of all, the Government must have a comprehensive land use policy which would protect by law and probably even protect by Constitution, the agricultural lands in Trinidad and Tobago. [Desk thumping]

Trinidad and Tobago has some, what is called, class one agricultural lands—not plenty—and the agricultural lands in Trinidad and Tobago must be protected by law and I am saying it should even go so far as being protected by Constitution, so that no government can take agricultural land and convert it to housing or commercial activities willy-nilly, unless they get the express permission of the majority of Members of Parliament.

Let me just give you an example of what has happened in one area in this country. River Estate is one of the areas in this country that has prime agricultural land—what is called class one—and I will tell you what has happened to River Estate. In 1960, housing in that area was 12.8 per cent; commercial, 4.3 per cent; agriculture, 50 per cent; forest, 16 per cent and mixed, 15.8 per cent. That was in 1960. By 2006, that had changed, and I am talking about class one agricultural

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lands of which we have very little in this country. By 2006, housing, from 12.8 per cent to 42.9 per cent; commercial: 4.3 per cent to 14.9 per cent; forest: 16.4 to 13.4; mixed: 15.8 to 4.3 and agriculture, from 50 per cent in 1960 to 24.5 per cent in 2006. That is what you have done with prime agricultural land in Trinidad and Tobago and I am saying that should never be allowed to happen. This land should be protected by law and the Constitution so you do not just take prime agriculture land and convert it into commercial and housing.

This Government does not appreciate the value of agricultural lands. They do not understand that once you convert agricultural lands to housing or commercial use, that land is lost to agriculture forever; you do not ever get back that land to agriculture. So this land in River Estate has been lost to agriculture forever—prime agricultural land. I am saying that land should be protected by law and, if necessary, by the Constitution.

The Government should introduce in the shortest possible time a land distribution policy to people who are interested in agriculture. There are many people in this country who are interested in growing food and who go through no amount of difficulties in accessing state lands. I will just give you one example of what has happened in my own constituency of Caroni Central. There is a plot of land of about 90 acres in Caroni Central and there are farmers who have been planting that land for the last 50 years and they have made representations to the Government on several occasions, asking for a lease so that they can be given some measure of protection and they can access the loans from the Agricultural Development Bank; that they can access Government agricultural incentive policy; they can access all of these things if they have a lease for the land.

It is now 50 years. I have been making representation on behalf of those farmers. The last thing is, the land had been surveyed and after the land was surveyed, it went to Town and Country Planning for approval and they rejected the survey, saying that the survey was not in order. That land has to be resurveyed, because the surveyor has already been paid and he does not want to interfere with the survey plan that he has done. No other surveyor can interfere with the plan that he has done. There are no funds available in the Ministry for the survey so that has now reached a stalemate. I have made representation to the relevant departments asking them to please find some money. We have a budget of $42 billion; recently we added another $3.5 billion. We are asking them if they can find some money so that they can resurvey these lands so that these people can get some tenure: 40 farmers; 90 acres of land; 50 years they have been following this and they have not yet had tenure. There are two other areas like this

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in Caroni Central which we are following; similar problems. We recently had the issue of the Spring Village area in which there are housing lands, agricultural lands and the Government is not inclined to give to the residents there the agricultural lands so that they can plant and grow food.

Caroni (1975) Limited was closed—the Minister just mentioned, and she mentioned $7.7 billion that was utilized to restructure Caroni (1975) Limited. Whenever they talk about VSEP, I get angry because none of that was voluntary. They told them: “You either accept the money or you go home without anything.” What was voluntary about that? You either accept the money that you have been given or you go tome without anything. What was voluntary about that? There was nothing voluntary about that. They forced the sugar workers to get out of Caroni (1975) Limited. That is the truth and they must admit that. Anyway, 47.7 billion they have spent; five years have gone and to date, they have given out 88 leases. At least, that is what we have seen in the newspapers.

3.15 p.m. I asked a question in Parliament as to how many agricultural leases were

given for lands of Caroni (1975) Limited. Three or four months now, we cannot have an answer. There must be some record somewhere, some place in this country that says that the Government has given leases for the lands of Caroni (1975) Limited. Somebody must have that record. Why is it taking three, four and five months before they can answer a question like that? [Interruption] I am not afraid of you and you are not going to deter me.

Mr. Speaker: Do not be distracted.

Dr. H. Rafeeq: I asked the question as to how many residential leases were given of ex Caroni (1975) Limited, three or four months ago and they cannot answer. Somebody must have that answer. Why are they hiding information from the public? That is the way that this Government is operating. It is operating in secrecy. It does not want to give the population information. Why can they not tell the population that they have given no leases? Why can they not tell the population that they have given 10 or 20 as the case may be?

Mrs. Persad-Bissessar: Secret government.

Dr. H. Rafeeq: Secret government. Eighty-eight leases after five years. The land that they have given to these ex workers Caroni (1975) Limited does not have the necessary infrastructure; proper agricultural access roads and irrigation. They are threatening the farmers and telling them that if they do not plant the land

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within a specific period of time, that they would take it back: You have given land, without infrastructure and threatening the farmers and telling them that if they do not plant the land, you would take it back. Big fanfare! Eighty-eight leases and threatening the farmers. If you want the farmers to plant the land provide the necessary infrastructure, the agricultural access roads and irrigation. That is the first thing that the Government has to do. The Government must have a proper land use policy and give the people who are interested in agriculture the proper lease.

The second thing is that the Government must develop a proper water management policy [Desk thumping] You cannot have agriculture without water. You can have as much land as you want. You can have everything that you want but if you do not have water you cannot do agriculture. It is as simple as that. You must have a proper water management policy.

In Trinidad and Tobago we have the situation whereby in the rainy season there is flood in the agricultural areas and in the dry season there is no water for irrigation, so you cannot plant. We do not have to reinvent the wheel. The technology is there. You can have retention dams, water pumps and sluice gates. You can trap the water in the rainy season and make it available during the dry season, so that you can plant throughout the year. Studies are showing that the best time to plant in Trinidad and Tobago is during the dry season, but you must have irrigation. The technology is there. You do not have to reinvent the wheel. You can trap the water in the rainy season and release it during the dry season so that we can have planting throughout the year.

It is very heartbreaking. I do not know how many of them across there have any experience in planting. It is very heartbreaking when you prepare your land, get seedlings and plant, one rain comes and floods and you lose everything. You may recall the legacy of the past Minister of Agriculture, Land and Marine Resources when he went to Penal/Debe and gave compensation to those who lost all their livelihood of $37, $47 and $57. How can we grow food and encourage agriculture with that kind of approach? How much time?

Mr. Speaker: Twenty-four minutes.

Dr. H. Rafeeq: 24? Time goes fast.

With regard to agricultural access roads, the colossal failure that is the Member for Diego Martin North/East is that he cannot even fix highways and secondary roads. Why should I expect him to fix agricultural roads? I want to

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mention one thing to the Minister of Works and Transport. Six months ago I wrote him on behalf of the residents of Arena asking him to fix the road in Arena. He does not have the courtesy. I represent 25,000 or 30,000 persons in Caroni Central. He does not have the courtesy to acknowledge that I have written him a letter.

You know something? A resident of Caroni Central wrote to the Prime Minister asking him to fix that same road; the Prime Minister acknowledged the letter and said that he sent it to the Member for Diego Martin North/East and the Member for Diego Martin North/East threw it in the waste paper basket. That is the contempt with which he treats his Prime Minister. He treats his Prime Minister with contempt. Do you think that he will respond to me or the resident from Caroni Central? After you have prepared your land and grown your crops, you cannot take them out because there is no agricultural access road that has to be dealt with.

I want to move on to the other major area of praedial larceny. If this Government cannot protect babies, mothers, children and grandmothers, do you expect them to protect goat, cow, sheep, orange and corn? Praedial larceny is an extremely big problem in the agricultural sector. If we do not have measures to deal with praedial larceny, then we are going nowhere with agriculture.

The Member for Princes Town South mentioned that some time ago the Government had set up a task force to deal with praedial larceny. I do not know what that task force is doing. If it is anything like the Minister of National Security, then we cannot expect much.

People go to the market at 2 o’clock and 3 o’clock in the morning to sell their produce, they have money and they are exposed to bandits.

Permit me to make one final point because I know that my time is going. The Government should institute a government sponsored crop insurance programme. There are so many things that cause farmers to lose crops and if their crops are not insured they lose their entire livelihood for that year. There are so many other things that I would have liked to say on this occasion, but the others would pick it up.

Permit me on this occasion to extend our sincerest condolences on the passing of the father of the Minister of Public Administration, Mr. Kennedy Swaratsingh on behalf of all the Members on this side. I am sure on behalf of all Members of the House, we extend our sincerest condolences to him on the passing of his father.

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The Minister of Information (Hon. Neil Parsanlal): Mr. Speaker, I join the debate on the Motion which seeks to condemn the Government for its failure in containing food prices at affordable levels for the entire population. I do so after the hon. Member for Caroni East, who when he began, I thought that he was actually going to wind up—

Dr. Gopeesingh: Caroni Central. You love me. Hon. N. Parsanlal: “It’s a love thing.” I thought he was going to wind up

and concede that his Motion had failed, because they have not produced anything in this House that would tell us that the resolution they are seeking to bring to the House, the failure to contain food prices at affordable levels. They have not been able to prove that.

He mentioned the failure of the Prime Minister to respond positively to the question of subsidies on food. In my hands is a document from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) which compares each initiative that is being undertaken by various countries and gives an analysis of it. One of the initiatives is the universal food subsidy. Under expected effects the document says that everyone will have access to subsidized food targeting possible, by focusing on selected staple commodities. They say that one of the effects is that it will be extremely costly with potentially serious macro-economic consequences. It also says that one of the expected effects could be the risk of black market. As a caution it said that food transit through public channels is not recommended. This is the Food and Agriculture Organization. Once established these are extremely difficult to remove and additionally, there is a risk of cross border smuggling.

The countries that have attempted this with the results that the FAO has demonstrated here include Bangladesh, Ecuador, Egypt, Indonesia, Lebanon, Senegal and Yemen. There are examples of countries that have gone down the road that the Member for Caroni Central is asking this Government to go on and with the attendant consequences. In that light, this Government has indicated that it prefers not to go along that road. I commend that to the Member for Caroni Central.

Any student of philosophy will tell you that in the study of syllogism, if a motion is predicated on the wrong premise, it would ultimately result in the wrong conclusion. For example, by means of illustration, because the Member for Caroni East is balding and is a man and the Member for Naparima and is balding and is a man, it does not necessarily follow that all men will eventually go bald. Basically, that is what it is. It does not necessarily follow because it is a premise based on a wrong conclusion. [Desk thumping] Similarly, this is philosophy 101. You are a

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political party and you win one election, it does not necessarily follow that you would win another, as they have come to realize. A false premise will always lead to a false conclusion. This is the basis.

When the minority Member for Cumuto/Manzanilla raises this kind of Motion he ought to realize how inaccurate it is. So fallacious is the premise that the Government has failed to take adequate measures to keep food prices at an affordable level to all citizens, that it is bound to lead him to an equally inaccurate and unfounded conclusion. That conclusion being in his resolution that this honourable House condemn the Government for its failure to contain food prices at affordable levels for the entire population.

3.30 p.m. I am at not at all surprised. Member for Pointe-a-Pierre, I am not at all phased.

[Interruption] Let them talk. Whenever the Member for Princes Town North gets an original idea, he gets a migraine; it is uncommon for him. Let him rest for today.

The question I would like to pose to the minority Member for Cumuto/Manzanilla is whether he is aware of any democratic government in the world that has been able, according to him and his Motion, to contain, cap or stop the increase in the price of food. [Interruption] I am trembling in my boots, Member for Couva North. Certainly it appears that the Orwellian times are truly upon us. We, too, lament in this House that, in a time of universal deceit, telling the truth as we do on this side, it becomes a revolutionary act, which is what we have been hearing on that side.

Throughout the world, Mr. Speaker, in every major capital, recorded in every major publication one can find; whether in hard or soft copy, there have been increases in the cost of various basic food items. It is not an excuse when the Government says it is happening worldwide. It is putting the whole issue in context because we need to understand where we are and how we are located in this global village.

The Economist dated Wednesday, March 26, 2008, one of world's leading magazines, tells us:

“The soaring prices of bushels and barrels are not unconnected. The cost of agricultural commodities, just like oils and metals, has gone up sharply over the past couple years. Aside from wheat, the prices of corn, rice and barley have all risen by over a third since 2005. Food prices around the world are rising so

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Rising Food Prices Friday, June 06, 2008 [HON. N. PARSANLAL]

quickly that a new term has been coined to describe the ballooning price of breakfast staples and dinner-time favourites:”–and that new term–“is adflation.”

But in consumer price indices, at least in some countries, food has a greater impact. In America, food carries just 14 per cent of the weight of the consumer price index, but in China, it accounts for 33 per cent and in India 46 per cent. In such countries the rising price of food obviously could push up inflation levels overall. In addition, if food prices stay high and if consumers spend less on other goods, other parts of the economy might suffer.

The UN World Food Programme, again dated March 26, 2008, said: Food prices have seen dramatic increase in the last 15 months. The wheat

prices have nearly doubled while the overall prices have gone up by 75% since the year 2000 according to the World Bank. The record high food prices are attributed to increased imported consumption from highly populated emerging economies such as China and India; new biofuel opportunities and record high energy prices.

The FAO, from which I quoted earlier, March 24, 2008, states: “From subsistence farmers eating rice in Ecuador to gourmets feasting on

escargot in France, consumers worldwide face rising food prices in what analysts call a perfect storm of conditions.

Freak weather is a factor. But so are dramatic changes in the economy, including higher oil prices, lower food reserves and growing consumer demands in China and India.”

In those three pieces, Mr. Speaker, there is a thread that runs through consistently. It is a world effort; it is a world problem; it is something caused by increasing demand in China and India. The move is from growing food for sustaining people to now growing food for fuel.

In the Time magazine, dated May 19, 2008, which this time predicted the winner of the democratic primary correctly, there is a centre spread on “Why the World Can’t Afford Food”, and they give four very cogent reasons. The subtext is: “And why higher prices are here to stay”. The first reason they give is “Poor harvests and restrictive trade policies” and the second one is the “Increasing price of oil”. This is a point that many of us in this country are yet to come to grips with—that the higher the price of oil goes, the double-edged sword that that presents will affect us more and more because—

“Food costs closely track energy costs. As the price of oil spikes”—the magazine says—“the cost of running a farm jumps too. Petroleum is a key

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ingredient in the making of some types of fertilizer, which is increasingly essential to agriculture in the developing world. Then there’s the added cost of gas to run equipment and higher transportation expenses to get food to market.”

The higher the price of oil goes, the more we in Trinidad and Tobago, particularly as we are an oil- and gas-based economy, will feel it here too. We need to be honest with ourselves in Trinidad and Tobago. Yes, the oil prices have been good to us and provided us with the revenues with which we can deal with our issues, but rising oil prices and continued high prices also have the double effect of ensuring that food prices around the world go up. Because we are a net importer of food, this will happen in Trinidad and Tobago. It is happening in countries where they grow their own food in large measure.

The third reason, the magazine tells us, is the “Diversion of crops for biofuels” and the fourth one is the “Increasing demand, especially in China”. The question the magazine asks is: “Will prices come down?” And the answer is, according to this: “not anytime soon”.

A World Bank Report projects that food prices will remain high for at least another year before increases in supply take hold in the market. That report also says that prices are likely to remain well above 2004 levels for the foreseeable future because other pressures, which include costly oil, demand for biofuels and protectionist trade policies probably will not abate.

This House has been treated to a veritable shopping list of when the UNC government was in power and what certain items cost then as opposed to now. Again, it speaks to the paucity of their arguments. When this magazine did its work, it says, as a sidebar, how those prices hit home in the US since 2003. Bread in the US increased by 74 per cent, boneless centre cut pork chops increased by 124 per cent, skimmed milk by 38 per cent, wheat bread by 36 per cent, water crackers by 39 per cent, corn by 28 per cent, bananas by 41 per cent, peas by 21 per cent and Diet Coke by 10 per cent.

This is the United States of America. So, for someone to bring a Motion to "condemn the Government for its failure in containing food prices" surely must be an exercise in futility because no country in the world has been able to contain food prices. Trinidad and Tobago, therefore, is by no means singular in respect of its inability to prevent increased food prices and to suggest that is entirely disingenuous.

As painful as it was, I had to read the Hansard copy of the minority Member's contribution to this Motion. Because it was so economical with the truth, I had to

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read it a few times well. To his credit, there was one honest line in his preamble when he confessed: "I must admit I had great difficulty in preparing for this debate."

I can understand his difficulty and pain and if I were in his position I would feel that pain too. The difficulty would arise because, as a God fearing individual, as I am sure he is, he must be cognizant of the mandate to remove the beam from one's own eye before removing the splinter from his brother's. In that context, he would have been mandated to speak the truth about his own party and its deliberate actions to stifle the growth of agriculture over the years they were in government.

The Member for Caroni East regaled us with his attempt at representation for the farmers who have been trying for 50 years to get their leases in Caroni Central. He said that they have been trying for so long to get these agricultural leases and nothing has been happening. They had six years in government. Is it that during those six years—and this is a rhetorical question—the persons seeking these leases stopped seeking them, or did they continue? If they did, then what did the UNC government do to ensure the farmers got their leases rather than come to this Parliament and accuse the PNM of not doing anything for them?

He would be forced to tell the truth about his party's distancing of itself from its agricultural base while they were in government and instead embracing what they had previously called the parasitic oligarchy. [Interruption] Golf courses on Grade A agricultural lands? Surely they could not have been contemplating this? The minority Member for Cumuto/Manzanilla would be forced to tell us the truth about how Caroni workers have been used, abused and refused by his party.

3.45 p.m.

He would be forced to tell us the truth about why Caroni (1975) Limited workers and their welfare only became important to the UNC in the weeks leading up to an election and then once the election was over, they resorted to their old bad habits, abandoned by their party.

The Member would have to tell us and be forced to confront truthfully, the question asked by so many former workers to the UNC: What have you done for me lately? I am sure the answer would be a resounding, nothing. Nothing have they done for the Caroni (1975) Limited workers, as we would demonstrate later.

This country is well apprised of the UNC administration’s contemptuous treatment of Caroni (1975) Limited workers and their issues. What is even more painful for

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the former Caroni (1975) Limited workers is that the UNC administration had the opportunity to deal decisively, one way or the other, with Caroni (1975) Limited, and they never did. Somehow or the other, the testicular fortitude of which they want to speak, was not present then to treat with issues and to treat comprehensively with Caroni (1975) Limited. This is not only my assessment. Listen to what the new human rights champion attorney of Trinidad and Tobago is saying. In case you are still wondering, Anand Ramlogan. Mr. Ramlogan, in a speech at a COP meeting said on October 07, 2007:

“Mr. Panday shall forever be a hero to many, but this does not mean that I must be blind to his obvious avoidable mistakes. The UNC had a chance and blew it. The destruction of Caroni (1975) Limited is painful, but the truth is Panday assisted in the destruction of Caroni by failing to strengthen and restructure it when he was in power. He killed Caroni, with the UNC performing the last rites, arti and all.”

That was Anand Ramlogan. I am not at all singular in my assessment of that. But Caroni (1975) Limited is seen as a hobby horse for Members of the UNC to ride, but only to ride when it suits their own devices.

I refer to the Hansard of Friday January 25. This is the contribution, again, of the minority Member for Cumuto/Manzanilla. He said:

“You put big words in sand and that is operation do nothing because you had an opportunity with Caroni lands and did not use it...”

This side is constantly accused of being a minority Government and if we are to use that very logic, the Member for Cumuto/Manzanilla was in a three-way fight in his constituency. He barely scraped through against two neophytes, to use their term, in the elections, both of whom combined got more votes than him. If we are to use the logic of the Member for Caroni East, then certainly the Member for Cumuto/Manzanilla is a minority Member. If you disagree with that, Member for Caroni East, then, again, it is a fallacious argument. We are not a minority Government. But it is a good thing, Member for Caroni East, that your math is simple. You only divide by two. [Interruption]

Mr. Speaker, the Member says in political victimization. [Interruption] Because you had an opportunity with Caroni (1975) Limited lands and did not use it.

“…you shut down the company and you did not have a plan to operate a food programme. So you thought Caroni was sugar and that meant you could have wiped away the United National Congress, well, you have another thought coming.”

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What did they do when they had the opportunity? In the 1996 budget speech, this is what they had to say:

“To facilitate this, several measures would be implemented...”

We are talking about improving the agricultural sector.

“this year, including the following:”

This is what they promised to do.

“• The distribution of 2,000 acres of land from Caroni Limited and at least 7,000 acres of additional State Land to private farmers.”

That is what they promised to do; to distribute 2,000 acres of land from Caroni (1975) Limited and at least 7,000 acres of additional state lands to private farmers. How many did you distribute to private farmers and former workers of Caroni (1975) Limited? They also promised a drawdown of $22 million from the Inter-American Development Bank, to provide increased access to agricultural credit of $22 million. How much did they access? Yet, they have the temerity and gall to come before the House and accuse this Government of trying to dismantle Caroni (1975) Limited, when all the promises that they made to the Caroni (1975) Limited workers fell by the wayside. [Interruption] If you are prepared to go home, you can go ahead. We have asked how many and what did they do when they had the chance.

The country knows that Caroni (1975) Limited had not been viable for a very long time. I did A Level Economics at that venerable institution up the road called St. Mary’s College, in 1985. That is more than 20 years ago. More than 20 years ago, we knew that it made no economic sense for Trinidad and Tobago to continue producing sugar in the manner that it was. We knew that 20 years ago, because more than 20 years ago the cost of producing one ton of cane had far outstripped its selling price. That was even when we had preferential rates. The average cost of production—my colleague, the Member for D’Abadie/O’Meara has taken pains to explain to this House what that meant—per ton, for the Caribbean, was US $537. In Africa, it is $340. In the Pacific it is $266. In 2002, the cost of production in Trinidad and Tobago was $679 and we were getting $170 in return, absolutely no economic sense. For 30 years it cost this country more to produce cane than we have ever received from its sale. That is a fact. The industry had been dead for a long time. The UNC knew it. The industry could not survive and the UNC knew it, but such is their habit of propping up things that are dead way past their prime, and adding no real value to the landscape.

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Yet—I have not reached where you are as yet, Member for Caroni East, be careful—the Member for Caroni East and his colleagues would have this country believe that it was this Government’s attempt to bring down the UNC that led to the closure of Caroni (1975) Limited. By now they should know that we did not have to do that. We did not have to close Caroni (1975) Limited for the UNC to fall. The Member for Tabaquite did it all by himself, in a previous incarnation. Now, we have the spectacle of a roll-on roll-off dealer, trying to get him to do it again. I am sure the Member for Tabaquite has learnt the error of his ways. I see the entire team now distancing themselves from that inglorious march. Perhaps, history really teaches us good lessons. I am glad to see that the Member for Siparia was never associated with that kind of thing. I am very, very glad to see that. [Interruption]

I am interfering with yours, but you are attempting to interfere with ours. It has taken the courage and resilience of this Government to do for Caroni (1975) Limited and its former employees what any caring government should do; that would be to cease government’s involvement in sugar manufacturing. It would also be to distribute the lands to legitimate farmers, to encourage different kinds of agro-based processes on former Caroni (1975) Limited lands, to provide the necessary retraining and infrastructure development and to make entrepreneurs out of largely unskilled or semi-skilled workers.

One of the saddest episodes in this whole Caroni (1975) Limited issue, and I dare say one of the most treacherous things the UNC could have done to persons whom they claim to love so much, was to advise them to refuse to take part in the retraining exercises that were on offer.

Imagine a little over $16 million worth of training opportunities and this Opposition party that claims to love these Caroni (1975) Limited workers so much, went on a campaign telling former Caroni (1975) Limited workers “Do not take up those training opportunities. Leave them in their ignorance.” Imagine opportunities for advancement, empowerment and liberation are presented to workers and what do their leaders tell them to do? “Do not take it.” Then they turn around and accuse this Government of not caring.

Mr. Speaker, if you permit me a slight digression, I want to demonstrate to the national community how much this Government cares for the people of Trinidad and Tobago.

4.00 p.m. Mr. Speaker, last week Sunday this country was treated to a football match.

There was a packed stadium and it was a wonderful game. I wish the Member for

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Chaguanas West was here, because I wanted to commend him. I really wanted to commend the Member for Chaguanas West for being able to bring a team ranked No. 11th in the world to play a country ranked No. 88th in the world. What does this mean for the development of football in Trinidad and Tobago? The Member deserves a commendation. [Desk thumping]

Mr. Speaker, to demonstrate how much this country and this Government care for the people of Trinidad and Tobago, there is a little known fact about that football match, and that fact is were it not for this caring Government, the people of Trinidad and Tobago would have never seen the match live. [Desk thumping] Were it not for this Government—

Mrs. Persad-Bissessar: This is totally irrelevant, Standing Order 43(1).

Mr. Speaker: We are not about planting food crops in the stadium, so do get back to the Bill.

Hon. N. Parsanlal: I am so guided. I was just saying that it was a Government’s initiative, through NCC Channel 4 that paid $300,000 to ensure that the people of Trinidad and Tobago saw this match live otherwise they would have never seen it, particularly those persons in the rural communities [Desk thumping] and farming communities who could not have afforded the $300, the $600 or the $1,200 to get into the national stadium, because they are poor farming communities who are struggling with the price of food.

Mr. Speaker, there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the former Caroni (1975) Limited workers have been the beneficiaries of the best separation plan ever worked out in the history of labour relations in Trinidad and Tobago, and I dare anyone on the other side to prove me otherwise.

No former Port Authority worker ever went home with a crane; no former PTSC worker ever went home with a bus. None of them! We have a situation where former workers of Caroni (1975) Limited are going home with house, land, title and infrastructure, and yet we are being accused of not caring for them and of destroying Caroni (1975) Limited and the lives of 10,000 people. I want them to go and see if any port worker who was retrenched or severed has a crane parked next to his or her house.

Mrs. Persad-Bissessar: Ask Mc Nicholls!

Hon. N. Parsanlal: Mr. Mc Nicholls has nothing to do with this. Mr. Speaker, again, instead of the 2,000 acres that they had promised and did not deliver, we are providing 14,000 acres of land to them. [Desk thumping]

51


The former administration has always touted itself as the saviour of the agricultural sector. They have indicated—and this Motion is testimony to that—that the PNM has done nothing to help agriculture. What is their track record?

Dr. Moonilal: When are they reducing the speaking time? Hon. N. Parsanlal: When you are ready to reduce yours, I will reduce mine. I

have already demonstrated enough for the national community to see how much they have disregarded Caroni (1975) Limited and how they used, abused and abandoned the employees, but it gets worse. My colleague, the Minister of Legal Affairs—I am glad that he has joined us—spoke of the UNC’s promise of a draw down of $22 million from the IDB to provide increased access to agricultural credit.

Mr. Speaker, in that same year, they promised the people of Trinidad and Tobago that they would do other things. The then acting Permanent Secretary, a guy by the name of Vincent Moe, was sent to the World Food Summit in Italy to represent the Minister of Agriculture, Land and Marine Resources who, according to the transcript, was unavoidably absent due to pressing matters of the State.

I do not know what was happening with the Trinidad and Tobago Government in 1996. I do not know what was happening that could have occupied the Minister of Agriculture, Land and Marine Resources that he could not attended the World Food Summit. Perhaps, the UNC government did not think the World Food Summit was important enough or, perhaps, the Minister was not comfortable with his pumpkin and “bhagi” ministry and decided instead to send a public servant to the World Food Summit. These are the people who tell us that they care about agriculture and what happens in this country with food. A World Food Summit was taking place which was attended by ministers from all over the world, and the Minister was unavoidably absent due to pressing matters of the State.

One of the initiatives outlined by Mr. Moe was that of significant investment. This is the address to the World Food Summit which was held on 13—17 November, 1996 in Rome. Mr. Speaker, I am being disturbed by strangers in the House.

Mr. Speaker: Once a Member has indicated that he is being disturbed by strangers in the House, he is obviously referring to the public gallery. If it happens again, I would have to clear the public gallery. You are here at the pleasure of the House, so do not abuse your privilege.

Hon. N. Parsanlal: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Moe said:

“Measures have been implemented to reform protectionists, distortionary economic policies to increase international competitiveness...

52


Some of the most critical and sensitive areas being addressed include:

• Land use and land administration...”

Now, the Member for Caroni Central asked for a land use policy, and this was in 1996. The acting Permanent Secretary, who represented the Minister of Agriculture, Land and Marine Resources said that one of the critical factors that they are going to deal with is:

• “Land use and land administration for greater transparency and equity in the distribution of state lands for domestic agricultural production;”

This was in 1996, so they had at least five years before the Member for Tabaquite—Mr. Moe, the Deputy Permanent Secretary said:

• “Enhanced water management systems for agriculutre and aquaculture encompassing the formulation of a master plan for the development and management of the national water resources, and to determine the specific water requirements for agriculture.”

The Member for Caroni Central spoke at length, not only about land use and land administration, but about a water policy and retention ponds. This was in 1996 and they had at least five years before they were thrown out of Government by one of their own.

Mr. Speaker: Hon. Members, the speaking time of the hon. Member has expired.

Motion made, That the hon. Member's speaking time be extended by 30 minutes. [Hon. C. Imbert]


Hon. N. Parsanlal: Mr. Speaker, I thank you and I thank my colleagues. With respect to the significant investments that they spoke about, when it comes to this administration, what have we done? Mr. Speaker, I want to refer to the budget figures for a few years to demonstrate the point. When one looks at the budget figures from 1995—2008, it makes very interesting reading. In the allocation to the Infrastructural Development Fund (IDF) for the period 1995 to when they demitted office—when they were thrown out of office—the UNC’s allocation to the IDF was the princely sum of zero dollars. There was no money in the IDF for agriculture. These are figures from the Ministry of Finance.

Since 2002—2008, the allocation to the IDF under this administration was $190,251,000. [Desk thumping]

53


Mrs. Persad-Bissessar: Would you kindly give way? I understand you to be saying that this is the allocation for that period, but out of that sum how much was actual expenditure?

Hon. N. Parsanlal: I am glad the Member asked. In 2006, the allocation was $69,127,000 and the actual was $45,378,000; in 2007, the allocation was $64,124,000 and the actual was $59,299,000. I am glad you asked. [Desk thumping] In 2008, the allocation is $57 million. [Desk thumping] That was for the Infrastructural Development Fund. In the years they were in office, not a sent was given to agriculture, and they come to this House to talk about what we are doing for agricultural access roads.

Hon. Members: Shame!

Hon. N. Parsanlal: During the years they were in government, not a cent was given to infrastructural development. During the years that we have been in Government we have allocated $190.25 million on infrastructural development. Mr. Speaker, one sure way of reducing food prices—this is what this Government is about—is to ensure that more persons have access to land on which to plant, and another way is—we have demonstrated this by giving them 14,000 acres of land and making a lot more available—to make agricultural credit more and easier available to those persons who so qualify. So, if you want people to plant and grow more food, you have to provide them with land and make credit more easily available to them to get the things they need to plant the land. This is what any commonsense person would do.

Mr. Speaker, the performance of this Government far outstrips that of the UNC. When we look at the allocation to the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) between 1996—2000, according to the budget figures, the allocation to the ADB amounted to $688,472,000. That was the UNC’s allocation to the ADB.

4.15 p.m. When I compare that period to the period 2001—2008, it pales into insignificance,

because the figures for what this PNM administration has allocated to the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) between 2001—2008 is $118,406,000—[Desk thumping] From $688,472 that they allocated, this Government—$118,462,000. So, when they speak about this Government not caring about agriculture and not caring about poor people—one of things I have learnt through the years and I will say it in this House ad nauseam, facts are stubborn things, they will not go away and these are the facts. The facts are there to prove that this Government and the

54


operations of this Government have far outstripped that of the United National Congress when it came to taking care of agricultural workers. [Desk thumping]

Mr. Speaker, I could go on with these figures but I think I have made the point. The Agricultural Development Bank—the one that they underfunded for the years that they were in Government, and they knew why—is the institution in this country that has been established to provide loans, technical information and other inputs that would increase the number of practicing farmers; that would increase the acreage under farming and by extension the yield of these farms. What did they do to the Agricultural Development Bank, apart from not funding it? They have nothing, and according to figures provided by the ADB, there have been 3,585 loans to farmers over the last five years. In other words, based on the increased allocations, we are able to provide significantly more collateral, more loans, more everything to the farmers; to ensure that more crops come to market; to ensure that more farms are developed; to ensure that more farmers come on board—3,585 loans to farmers.

Additionally, there has been a 15 per cent increase in the number of farmers over the past five years—[Desk thumping]—because, you see the ADB is making loans available. The lands are available; leases are being provided; money is being provided; incentives to farmers are there, and in her contribution on the last occasion, the Member for D'Abadie/O'Meara went at length to demonstrate what are the incentives that are available to farmers.

Dr. Moonilal: Junior Minister. Hon. N. Parsanlal: You see now, you want to get into our business.

[Interruption] There is always business; always business, Member for Siparia. Are you going on the walk? You are not going on the walk? With the used car salesman? [Interruption] Oh, I forgot, the boss is back.

This Government has taken careful note of the developments locally, regionally and internationally and this Government, we believe, has sent a clear response to the electorate in the budgetary provisions for the fiscal year 2007/2008. When we look at the arithmetic of this year's budget, the allocations of resources in the budget reflect the sectoral priorities that this Government holds.

Of the total expenditure, education and training received $7.6 billion; national security was allocated $4.4 billion; health, $3.7 billion; housing, $2.6 billion; works and transport, $2.6 billion, and for the first time in the history of this country, agriculture received $1.3 billion. Agriculture received $1.36 billion. [Desk thumping] In terms of infrastructure development funds for the ADB and

55


therefore the overall attention to agriculture and the agricultural community, the UNC cannot hold a candle to the PNM, and to compare their performance to that of the People's National Movement is comparing chalk and cheese. [Desk thumping] And that, we dare say, is a comparison that has been recognized by the electorate of Trinidad and Tobago. [Desk thumping] They could walk how much they want. The Member for Tabaquite could walk—he is limping these days, because he has bruised his ankle.

To their eternal credit, the UNC has recognized that they have done absolutely nothing for agriculture and they admit it. They recognize, realize, admit that they have done absolutely nothing for agriculture and I will tell you why. I went on their website and on their website, “Reality check on UNC's achievements 1995—2001”, there is a listing of some 12 or 13 achievements. This is yours, right? You identified this document? [Crosstalk] This is dated March 19, 2008. [Interruption] So, you have updated it since? Their website, and the headline is—

Mr. Speaker: Order! Hon. Member: What is the website? Hon. N. Parsanlal: I do not want to give them any free advertisement, but it

is their website. The heading is "Unrivalled Performance" and nowhere in this list of unrivalled performance is there a single reference to agricultural accomplishments. [Desk thumping] Nowhere in the long list of their accomplishments of unrivalled performance is there a single mention of the word agriculture. None at all. [Crosstalk]

Dr. Gopeesingh: You cannot quote from something without giving reference.

Mr. Speaker: Order!

Hon. N. Parsanlal: Mr. Speaker, I am so guided. I am new here; I am a neophyte; I am willing to take his advice. The address is www.unc.org.tt. We wonder what the "org" is for. We come back to the point that nothing here; absolutely nothing, and yet they claim that they are doing wonders for food prices and for agriculture; absolute nonsense. But when the People's National Movement speaks about what we have done to impact the level of food prices, we can speak very pointedly to our list of accomplishments.

We can point to the removal of VAT on all basic food items. [Desk thumping] We can point to the removal of CET on a wide cross section of goods. [Desk thumping] We can point to the increase in acreage under farming; [Desk thumping] the increase in the availability of credit to farmers; [Desk thumping] the increase in the number of farmers who have been security of tenure on their lands.

56


[Desk thumping] We can speak to the introduction of the concept of the Farmers' Market, thereby eliminating the middleman from the equation. [Desk thumping] We can speak of the increase of incentives to farmers. [Desk thumping] And we can speak about the increase in the availability of consumables like seeds and fertilizer, distributed to the length and breadth of this country. [Desk thumping]

So much so, that the Member for Oropouche East was begging the Member for Princes Town South/Tableland to get seeds. [Laughter] [Desk thumping] The Member for Oropouche East was begging the Member for Princes Town South/Tableland to come down to his constituency and plant seeds in his backyard. Have you received any yet, Member for Oropouche East? Or is it that perhaps he is currently seedless?

Dr. Moonilal: Mr. Speaker, notwithstanding the vulgarity that is so common to the Member—[Crosstalk]—could I indicate to the hon. Member that the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Marines Resources did attend the Debe NAMDEVCO Market last Sunday morning and gave to constituents and to persons in the market the package of seeds. Regrettably, the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Marine Resources indicated that they could not invite the Minister of Legal Affairs; that was none of his business. [Laughter] [Crosstalk]

Hon. N. Parsanlal: What a woeful comeback. What a woeful comeback. But Mr. Speaker, we understand the strategy but he remains seedless.

I say this and I say this with pride; that this Government listens to the cries of the population and one of the cries that have been coming out is the price of the agricultural land, the leases. I want to tell this House that after considering a note brought by the Minister of Agriculture, Land and Marine Resources recently, the Cabinet took a decision to revise the terms and conditions for the grant of standard agricultural leases for state lands. [Desk thumping] So much so, that the annual rent on small to medium parcels of state agricultural land, under one hectare they only pay $200; one hectare to two hectares, $400; between two and five hectares, $700 and between five and 10 hectares, $1,000. We have responded to the cries of the agricultural community by reducing the cost to the leasing of agricultural land. [Desk thumping]

Not only that, house spots—[Interruption] Mr. Speaker: Order! Hon. N. Parsanlal: Again, Maestro, “They do not know what they want”—

on agricultural lands, 5,000 square feet or less are now rent free. [Desk thumping] House spots on agricultural lands greater than 5,000 square feet will attract the

57


customary annual rent of 3.5 per cent of market value. Value added tax on agricultural rents is zero rated and the State will bear the cost of surveying all state agricultural lands until further notice. [Desk thumping]

This is what we are doing to ensure that food prices are contained. This is what this Government is doing to ensure that the people of Trinidad and Tobago—basic supply and demand; if we increase the supply of land, we increase the supply of products, then certainly the prices will go down, and that is what this Government has conscientiously set out to do over the last few months. These initiatives will not have their intended impact if we as a population do not assume some level of responsibility as well for our own eating habits.

An Express editorial of March 29, 2008 tells us that, in essence—because I know we are winding up—we need to change our own eating habits and we need to change our own patterns. They are absolutely correct. They are absolutely correct.

ADJOURNMENT

The Minister of Works and Transport (Hon. Colm Imbert): Mr. Speaker, I beg to move that this House do now adjourn to Friday, June 13, 2008 at 1.30 p.m. On that day we will be doing an Act to amend the Children's Authority Act, 2000, and if we have time we will do an Act to amend the Children's Community Residences Foster Homes and Nurseries Act, 2000; and also the Senate amendments to the Immigration (Advance Passenger Information) Bill.


House adjourned accordingly.

Adjourned at 4.30 p.m. WRITTEN ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS

The following question was asked by Dr. Hamza Rafeeq (Caroni Central): Ministries Advertisements in 2007

(Money spent) 59. Could the Minister of Information inform this honourable House as to how

much money was spent by each Ministry on advertisement, promotion and publication to each of the media houses in 2007?

The following response was circulated to Members of the House:

The Minister of Information (Hon. Neil Parsanlal): The response to question No. 59 is as follows:

58

Written Answers to Questions Friday, June 06, 2008

January - December 2007

Ministry of Social Development

# Type Name of Media House Placement / Insertion Costs

$

Production Costs

$

Total

Radio

1 102FM & 94.1FM Radio Vision Ltd. 159,619.00 12000.00

2 97.1;90.5;104 FM CL Communications Ltd. 182,624.00

3 92.7 FM Kaisoca Productions Ltd. 25,590.00

4 103 FM 103 FM 73,470.00

5 97.5 & 101.1 FM HCU Communication Ltd. 54,220.00

6 I95.5 FM Citadel Ltd. 153,405.00

7 94.7 FM Radio Trinbago 134,443.00

8 98.1 FM Family Focus Ltd. 61,428.00

9 91.9 FM Trinibashment 31,247.55

10 105, 95.5, 106 FM Trinidad Broadcasting Co. Ltd. 258,677.00

11 91.1 FM Caribbean New Media Group 34,064.00

12 100.5 FM WMJX 46,,650.00

13 More 104.7 FM 104.7 FM 9,999.00

59



$

Production Costs

$

Total

Radio

14 96.1 FM Trinidad & Tobago Radio Network 42,590.00

Subtotal TT$ 1,268,026.55 TT$ 12,000.00 TT$ 1,280,026.55

Television

1 Caribbean Comunications Network Ltd.

CCNTV6 582,787.00

2 Caribbean New Media Group

CNMG 274,600.00

3 Gayelle The Channel Gayelle 131,000.00

4 Cable News Channel 3 CNC3 243,379.00

5 Columbus Communications T&T Ltd.

Cable TV 139,700.00

Subtotal TT$ 1,371,466.00 TT$ 1,371,466.00

Print

1 Trinidad Express Newspapers

Express 880,707.00

2 Daily News Ltd. Newsday 806,952.00

3 Trinidad Publishing Co. Guardian 552,022.00

60



$

Production Costs

$

Total

Print

4 HCU Publications The Probe 52,064.00

5 T&T Newscentre Ltd. Sunday Mirror 37,000.00

6 Blast Publications Ltd. Blast 23,552.00

Subtotal TT$ 2,352,297.00 TT$ 2,352,297.00

Total TT$ 5,003,789.55


Ministry of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs


$

Production Costs

$

Total

Radio

1 102.7 FM 4,048.00

2 103 FM 34,481.00

3 96.1 FM 4,140.00

4 Citadel Limited 408,005.00

61



$

Production Costs

$

Total

Radio

5 CNMG (91.1 Talk City) 2,070.00

6 Family Focus Broadcasting (Isacc 98.1 FM) 37,107.50

7 HCU Communications 3,450.00

8 Heritage Communications Limited 16,075.00

9 JWB Concepts & Ideas 27,500.00

10 Radio 90.5 FM 12,566.63

11 Radio 94.7 FM (VL Communications) 203,600.45 11,500.00

12 Radio News Network 553.44

13 Radio Toco 106.7 FM 12,186.00 14 Radio Vision Limited 306,871.15 155,992.50

15 Trini Bashment Ltd. 193,576.00

16 Trinidad & Tobago Radio Network 4,140.00

17 Trinidad Broascasting Company Ltd 83,806.25 17,250.00

18 Wack Radio 90.1 FM 27,130.00

Subtotal TT$ 1,453,806.42 TT$ 212,242.50 TT$ 1,666,048.92

Television

1 CCN TV6 91,357.81

62



$

Production Costs

$

Total

Television

2 CNC 3 10,292.50

3 CNMG 103,274.63

4 Gayelle 28,750.00 13,340.00

5 Synergy TV 51,250.00

6 Telemedia Limited 996.19

7 WIN TV Limited 70,624.95

Subtotal TT$ 305,296.08 TT$ 64,590.00 TT$ 369,886.08

Print

1 Blast Publications 16,423.35 2 CCN Communications (Express) 622,777.35 3 Daily News Limited (Newsday) 469,784.52 4 J.G. Design Caribbean 24,581.25 5 Tobago News 3,916.00 6 Trinidad & Tobago News Centre 7,599.05 7 Trinidad Publishing Co. (Guardian) 279,770.89 29,200.00

Subtotal TT$ 1,400,271.16 TT$ 53,781.25 TT$ 1,454,052.41

Total TT$ 3,489,987.41

63


January – December 2007

Ministry of Public Administration and Information


$

Production Costs

$

Total

Radio

1 Copyright Music Organisation 1,500.00 5,400.00

Subtotal TT$ 1,500.00 TT$ 5,400.00 TT$ 6,900.00

Television

1 Gayelle Limited 3,250.00 46,430.00

2 CNMG Limited 30,000.00 73,500.00

3 Cable News Channel 3 5,000.00 65,150.00

4 CCN TV 6 20,000.00 84,650.00

5 Video Associates Limited - IETV 10,000.00 19,900.00

Subtotal TT$ 68,250.00 TT$ 289,630.00 TT$ 357,880.00

Print

1 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited

278.30 198,265.44

2 T & T News Centre Limited

3 Trinidad Express Newspapers 326.00 664,348.74

64



$

Production Costs

$

Total

Print

4 Newsday Daily News 558.30 857,209.01

5 Blast Publications 18 14,327.10

6 HCU Publications (probe) 2,500.00 9,000.00

Subtotal TT$ 3,682.93 TT$ 1,745,379.63 TT$ 1,749,062.56

Total TT$ 2,113,842.56


Ministry of Planning, Housing and The Environment


$

Production Costs

$

Total

Radio

1 Pepper Advertising 9,748.09

2 I95.5 5160.00

3 98.1 Isaac 9120.00

4 Heritage 101.7 2250.00

65



$

Production Costs

$

Total

Radio

5 WACK 90.1 2500.00

6 CT Vibe 105 7650.00

7 Radio Trinbago 94.7 3750.00

8 Raido Tambrin 2300.00

9 WABC 103 6660.00

Subtotal TT$ 39,390.00 TT$ 9,748.09 TT$ 49,138.09

Television

1 Trico 11466.08

2 CNC3 22540.00

3 CCNTV 6 40250.00

4 Pepper Advertising 130,205.88

5 Karel Douglas 24,500.00

Subtotal TT$ 74,256.08 TT$ 154,705.88 TT$ 228,961.96

Print

1 Guardian 350303.44

66



$

Production Costs

$

Total

Print

2 Express 254676.27

3 Newsday 459063.96

Subtotal TT$ 1,064,043.67 TT$ 1,064,043.67

Total TT$ 1,342,143.72


Ministry of Science, Technology and Tertiary Education


$

Production Costs

$

Total

Radio

1 Telemedia Ltd. (97.1 FM) 514,127.29

2 Radio News Network Ltd 18,678.50

3 Central Radio FM 90 Ltd. 11,089.16

4 107.7 FM 35,266.70

5 Citadel Ltd. (I 95.5 FM) 190,957.64

67



$

Production Costs

$

Total

Radio

6 The Q Corporation (96.7 Red FM) 204,788.56

7 Superior's Infinite Productions Ltd. 226,435.00

8 96.1 WE FM 33,637.50

9 Family Focus Ltd. 155,095.00

10 Heartbeat Radio for Women 4,485.00

11 103 FM 144,670.00

12 Kaisoca Productions Ltd. 130,129.00

13 Radio Vision Ltd. 169,239.75

14 T&T Radio Network Ltd. 133,461.30


16 Radio Tambrin 10,594.00

17 WABC 103.7 FM 11,592.00

18 Radio 90.5 4,709.72

Subtotal TT$ 2,500,931.12 TT$ 2,500,931.12

Television

1 CNMG 517,155.00

68



$

Production Costs

$

Total

Television

2 CNC 3 664,671.25

3 CCN TV 6 1,987,200.48

4 Gayelle 31,900.00

5 Telemedia Ltd. 825.93

6 Win TV Limited 95,795.00

Subtotal TT$ 3,297,547.66 TT$579,337.45 TT$ 3,876,885.11

Newspapers

1 Daily News Ltd. (Newsday) 1,337,272.40

2 Trinidad Express Newspapers 1,206,483.72

3 Trinidad Publishing Company Ltd. 1,126,494.46

4 Tobago News 28,783.30

Subtotal TT$ 3,699,033.88 TT$ 29,925.24 TT$ 3,728,959.12

Total TT$ 10,106,775.35

69



Ministry of Health


$

Production Costs

$

Total

Radio

1 103 fm 207199.99

2 107 fm 15,755.00

3 Sweet 100.1 fm 9,999.94

4 CNMG Ltd 149,999.98

5 Central Broadcasting Ltd 25,904.25

6 Citadel ltd 171,068.96

7 CL communications Ltd 179,494.88

8 Family Focus Ltd 122,000.00

9 Gem radio Five Ltd 135,000.00


11 HCU Publications 9,998.85

12 Heritage Communications Ltd 35,999.99

13 Innercity Broadcasting Ltd 26,000.00

70



$

Production Costs

$

Total

Radio

14 Kaisoca Productions Ltd 12,000.00

15 KMP Music Group 13,750.00

16 Massala Radio 128,494.80

17 Music for Life 30,475.00

18 Pulse 91.5 fm 5,000.00

19 Q Corporation 151,999.99

20 Radio News Network 9,919.90

21 Radio Vision Ltd 230,399.15

22 Superiors Infinite Productions Ltd 196,899.98

23 Telemedia Ltd 9,881.66

24 TNT Radio Network 181,746.00

25 Trini Bashment 117,483.80

26 Trinidad Broadcasting Co. Ltd 455,739.20

27 United Cinemas Ltd 154,764.55

71



$

Production Costs

$

Total

Radio

28 VL Communications L td 47,515.00

29 WMJX Ltd 51,175.00

Total TT$ 2,967,788.98 TT$ 2,967,788.98

Television

1 Gayelle TV 289,886.25

2 Caribbean News Media Group (CNMG )

326,116.07

3 Cable News Channel 3 650,830.08

4 Columbus Communications 261,189.00

5 Video Associates 187,997.65

6 CCN TV6 2,210,422.40

7 Synergy TV 171,000.00

8 Trinidad Style 24,150.00

9 Win TV 27,600.00

10 National Carnival Commission TV Channel 4 & 16

8,625.00

Subtotal TT$ 4,157,816.45 TT$ 4,157,816.45

72



$

Production Costs

$

Total

Print

1 Newsday 83,358.12

2 Trinidad Express Newspaper 1,138,644.15

3 Daily News Ltd. 1,163,257.35

4 HCU Publications 97,187.41

5 TNT News Centre 220,416.29

6 Trinidad Style Company Ltd. 39,100.00

7 Regressional Babersaloon 5,500.00

8 Blast Publications 118,901.25

9 Trinidad Publishing Ltd. 457,113.04

10 Yearbooks Caribe 16,463.40

11 Intergraphic Ltd 12,190.00

12 Phillips Promotions Company Ltd 7,000.00

13 TNT Proleague 24,000.00

14 TNT Association of Midwives 3,400.00

15 Williams Marketing 5,000.00

73



$

Production Costs

$

Total

Print

16 Jireh Magazines & Advertising Consultancy

5,000.00

17 Island Productions & Promotions 5,500.00

18 The Trinidad and Tobago Cancer Society

12,000.00

19 Vidia Ramphal 400.00

20 Advertising Associates 114,055.79

21 Real Company 37,950.00

22 Candice Campbell 400.00

Subtotal TT$ 3,414,031.01 TT$ 152,805.79 TT$ 3,566,836.80

Total TT$ 10,692,442.23


Ministry of National Security


$

Production Costs

$

Total

Radio

1 105 FM TBC Network 31387.50

74



$

Production Costs

$

Total

Radio

2 104.7 FM More FM 38824.00

3 103.5 FM HeartBeat 14352.00

4 103 FM WABC 82452.55

5 102.7 FM Radio Jaagriti 23598.00

6 102 FM Power 120 FM 62762.00

7 100/99.1 FM CNMG FM 85186.25

8 98.1 FM Isaac 98.1 74284.20

9 96.7 FM Red 96.7FM 17004.00

10 96.1 FM WEFM 96.1 FM 42510.00

11 I 95 FM I 95 FM 106321.20

12 94.7 FM Radio Trinbago 41824.98

13 94.1FM Rhythm City 94.1 FM 80283.80

14 91.9 FM Trinibashment Soca 120765.00

15 91 FM 91 FM 5980.00

16 90.1 FM Wack 90.1 FM 27082.50

75



$

Production Costs

$

Total

Radio

17 Radio Tambrin Kaiso Productions 64692.10

18 Radio Shakti/Masala* Radio Shakti/Masala 53245.00

19 (97.1FM, 90.5 FM, FM 104)* CL Communications 139731.90

20 (95.1 FM, 105.1 FM, 106.1 FM)*

TBC Network 127328.17

22 (96.1 FM & 107.7 FM)* WEFM 94684.10

Subtotal TT$ 1,334,299.25 TT$ 1,334,299.25

Television

1 CCN TV 6 CCN TV 6 390401.25

2 CNC 3 CNC 3 282463.00

3 CNMG CNMG 248630.00

4 Gayelle Gayelle 146397.47

5 IeTV IeTV 27140.00

6 NCC TV 4 NCC TV 4 88895.00

7 Synergy Synergy 84330.00

8 WIN TV WIN TV 76360.00

Subtotal TT$ 1,344,616.72 TT$ 1,344,616.72

76



$

Production Costs

$

Total

Print

1 Blast Blast 25341.40

2 Guardian Guardian 282992.89

3 Newsday Newsday 486145.80

4 Probe Probe 13800.00

5 TNT Mirror TNT Mirror 42039.40

6 Tobago News Tobago News 37018.32

7 Trinidad Express Trinidad Express 607442.70

8 T&T Review T&T Review 4200.00

9 Triniscene Triniscene 7441.18

Subtotal TT$ 1,506,421.69 TT$ 793,119.30 TT$ 2,299,540.99

Total TT$ 4,978,456.96

77



Ministry of Labour and Small and Micro Enterprise Development


$

Production Costs

$

Total

Radio

1 103 F.M. 2760.00

2 98.1 F.M. 4834.60 $100.00

Subtotal TT$ 7,594.60 TT$ 100.00 TT$ 7,694.60

Television NIL NIL NIL

Print

1 Trinidad Guardian 108345.67

2 Express 123057.94

3 Newsday 114096.10

Subtotal TT$ 345,499.10 TT$ 345,499.10

Total TT$ 353,193.70

78



Ministry of Education


$

Production Costs

$

Total

Radio

1 91.1 Talk City 17250.00

2 96.1 W.E. FM 6210.00

3 Central Broadcasting service 9629.43

4 Citadel 113311.80

5 Family focus 29391.70

6 Heartbeat 103.5 3477.60

7 107.1 9108.00

8 Radio Trinbago 5865.00

9 Radio Vision Ltd. 121881.00

10 Superior infinity productions 17250.00

11 97.1 11481.60

12 Trini Bashment 2070.00

13 Trinidad Broadcasting ltd. 421424.08

79



$

Production Costs

$

Total

Radio

12 Trini Bashment 2070.00

13 Trinidad Broadcasting ltd. 421424.08

14 103.1 6624.00

15 94.7 26404.00

Subtotal TT$ 801,378.21 TT$ 801,378.21

Television

1 CCN TV 6 CCN TV6 983250.00

2 CNC 3 Cable news channel 3 52410.00

3 CNMG Caribbean New Media group 778412.00

4 Gayelle Gayelle ltd. 1425117.70

5 Video Associates 143750.00

6 NCC TV 4 T.V. Channel 4 & 16 8625.00

7 Synergy Synergy Entertainment ltd 9292.00

8 WIN TV Win tv ltd. 45000.00

Subtotal TT$ 3,445,856.70 TT$ 3,445,856.70

80



$

Production Costs

$

Total

Print

1 Absolutions Design Studio Ltd. 31,960.00

2 Advance Dynamics 16,215.00

3 Blast Productions Ltd. 24,129.00

4 Caribbean Sports Specialist 10,927.50

5 Cathy Ann Hobson 4,000.00

6 Colin Matthews 149,000.00

7 Colin Mathews 9,700.00

8 Double X Workshop 6,440.00

9 Fujitsu 68,827.50

10 Gabriel Woodham 33,200.00

11 Junia Browne 41,055.00

12 Kerry Gibbons 13,500.00

13 Keyland Computer Ltd. (COA) 22,511.97

14 Kimberly Snaggs 3,300.00

15 Latin America & the Caribbean Focus 69,492.02

81



$

Production Costs

$

Total

Print

16 Lonsdale Saatchi Adv. Ltd 47,227.00

17 Marlon Rouse 2,500.00

18 Media Planners & Consultants Ltd. 761,778.90 40,093.63

19 Michael Ramoutar 1,080.00

20 Newsday Daily News Ltd. 936,131.06

21 Owen Wright Productions Ltd. 149,999.95

22 Phillip Fredericks Photography 14,310.00

23 Savant Ltd. 68,724.00

24 T & T News Centre 9,087.88

25 Trinidad Express 1,110,517.12

26 Trinidad Publishing Co. Ltd 726,690.67

27 Victor Granderson 1,000.00

28 Yearbook Caribe 42,045.84

29 Zenith Services Ltd. 59,570.00

Subtotal TT$ 3,760,538.96 TT$ 714,475.08 TT$ 4,475,014.04

Total TT$ 8,722,248.95

82



Ministry of Foreign Affairs


$

Production Costs

$

Total

Radio

1 103 FM 13,157.84

2 96.1/107.7 17,802.00

3 94.1 10,626.00

4 TBC 95/105 FM 7,590.00

5 Isaac 98.1 7,162.20

6 96.7 19,540.80

7 97/FM 104 FM 23,995.86

8 I 95.5 3,664.00

9 Radio Tambin 92.1 FM 931.5

Subtotal TT$ 104,470.20 TT$ 104,470.20

Television

1 Synergy TV 3,542.00

2 CNC TV 31,348.43

83



$

Production Costs

$

Total

Television

3 CNMG TV 11,040.00

4 IE TV 2,300.00

5 CCN TV6 26,920.50

6 Gayelle 2,420.25

Subtotal TT$ 77,571.18 TT$ 77,571.18

Print

1 Trinidad Guardian 98,427.01

2 Newsday 120,186.35

3 Trinidad Express 126,767.44

Subtotal TT$ 345,380.80 TT$ 345,380.80

Total TT$ 527,422.18

Radio

1 Heritage Comm. Ltd 3450.00

2 Radio Jaagriti 3174.00

3 103 FM 62675.00

84



$

Production Costs

$

Total

Radio

4 Radio News Network Ltd 5278.50

5 90.1 FM 2117.70

6 Isaac 98.1 10005.00

7 Power 102 20250.00

8 Red 96.7 2750.00

9 96.1 FM 82627.50

10 103.5 FM 4232.00

11 97.5 Radio Shakti 2070.00

12 kaisoca Productions 7860.25

Subtotal TT$ 206,489.95 TT$ 206,489.95

Television

1 CNC 29325.00

2 CCN TV 6 567295.00

3 Caribbean News Media Gr. 373600.50

4 Columbus Comm. Ltd 43217.00

85



$

Production Costs

$

Total

Television

5 Gayelle 5957.00

6 Synergy TV 48642.70

7 T'dad Broadcasting Co. 62646.24


Subtotal TT$ 1,139,883.44 TT$ 1,139,883.44

Print

1 Blast Publications 4022.70

2 Trinidad publishing Co. ltd 90851.90

3 T & T News Centre Ltd 31469.52

4 Daily News ltd. 9328.00

Subtotal TT$ 135,672.12 TT$ 135,672.12

Other

1 Internet 122800.00

2 Production $607,036.26

Subtotal TT$ 122,800.00 TT$ 607,036.26 TT$ 729,836.26

Total TT$ 2,211,881.77

86



Office of the Prime Minister


$

Production Costs

$

Total

Radio

1 103.1 FM 30,877.50

2 102.7FM 7,417.50

3 94.1 FM 21,562.50

4 107.7 FM 7,130.00

5 96.1 FM 14,260.00

6 I95.5 FM 241,825.00

7 102.7 FM 41,607.00

8 TBC 18,285.00

Subtotal TT$ 382,964.50 TT$ 382,964.50

Television

1 CNC3 132,250.00

2 CCN TV6 90,850.00

3 CNMG 342,669.00

87



$

Production Costs

$

Total

Television

4 GAYELLE 219,304.77

5 IE TV 78,775.00

2 CCN TV6 90,850.00

3 CNMG 342,669.00

4 GAYELLE 219,304.77

5 IE TV 78,775.00

6 WIN TV 40,000.00

7 Tobago Ch. 5 112,585.00

Subtotal TT$ 1,016,433.77 TT$ 1,016,433.77

Print

1 Express 213,811.76

2 Guardian 19,230.00

Subtotal TT$ 233,041.76 TT$ 233,041.76

Production Houses

1 Beyond Video solutions 99,055.00

88



$

Production Costs

$

Total

Production Houses

2 D.S. Productions 132,550.00

3 RAG Productions 126,250.00

4 Caribbean Digital Concepts 496,660.45

5 Total Video Productions 64,601.25

Subtotal TT$ 919,116.70 TT$ 919,116.70

Total TT$ 2,551,556.73


Ministry of the Attorney General


$

Production Costs

$

Total

Radio

1 90.5FM 9542.28

2 Radio News Network Ltd. 9144.02

3 Telemedia Ltd. 16459.94

89



$

Production Costs

$

Total

Radio

4 TBC 44159.82

Subtotal TT$ 79,306.06 TT$ 79,306.06

Television

1 CCN TV6 1506.50

2 WIN TV 27500.00


Subtotal TT$ 29,984.00 TT$ 29,984.00

Print

1 Trinidad Guardian 87892.89

2 Trinidad and Tobago Express 43281.63

3 Trinidad and Tobago Newsday 78556.50

4 Caribbean Paper (used to print Admin. Report) 31938.38

Subtotal TT$ 241,669.40 TT$ 241,669.40

Total TT$ 350,959.46

90


January – December 2007 Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Marine Resources


$

Production Costs

$

Total

Radio

1 103.FM 2,587.50


3 Radio Vision Ltd. 13,168.00

4 Trinidad Broadcasting 3,450.00

Subtotal TT$ 24,093.00 TT$ 24,093.00

Television

1 CCN TV 6 80,500.00

2 Gayelle 46,000.00

3 CNC 3 46,000.00

4 CNMG 37,950.00

5 Media Methods 34,000.00

Subtotal TT$ 210,450.00 TT$ 34,000.00 TT$ 244,450.00

Print

1 Express 303,634.23

91



$

Production Costs

$

Total

Print

2 Newsday 241,805.52

3 Docucentre Ltd 16,332.30

4 Jireh Magazine 83,550.00

Subtotal TT$ 545,439.75 TT$ 99,882.30 TT$ 645,322.05

Total TT$ 913,865.05


Ministry of Tourism


$

Production Costs

$

Total

Radio

1 Trinidad Broadcasting Co.Ltd 180,125.91

2 CL Communications Ltd 195,634.75

3 WMJX 168,350.17

4 Citadel Ltd 21,464.79

Subtotal TT$ 565,575.62 TT$ 565,575.62

92



$

Production Costs

$

Total

Television

1 CNC 3 63,307.50

2 CCNTV6 128,430.00

3 Flow Bizz 11,730.00

4 Gayelle the Channel 75,987.50

5 CNMG 25,300.00

6 Tobago Channel 5 6,325.00

Subtotal TT$ 311,080.00 TT$ 124,975.10 TT$ 436,055.10

Print

1 Guardian Newspapers 180,125.91

2 Newsday Newspapers 195,634.75

3 Express Newspapers 168,350.17

4 TNT News Centre 21,464.79

Subtotal TT$ 565,575.62 TT$ 89,235.42 TT$ 654,811.04

Total TT$ 1,656,441.76

93



Ministry of Legal Affairs


$

Production Costs

$

Total

Radio

1 730 AM Trinidad Broadcasting Company 84,060.00

2 I95.5 FM Citadel 183,134.00

3 Shakti Trinidad Broadcasting Company 88,387.29

4 Heartbeat 103.5 FM 107,765.22

5 Masala HCU Communications 186,756.87

6 Ebony 104 FM CL Communications 175,000.00

7 Vibe 105 FM Trinidad Broadcasting Company 180,251.15

8 Isaac 98.1 Family Focus Network 172, 950.78

9 Boom champions 94.1 FM Superior Infinite Productions Ltd. 62,415.96

10 Radio Vision 102.1 FM Superior Infinite Productions Ltd. 66,238.27

Subtotal TT$ 1,134,008.76 TT$ 1,134,008.76

Television

1 TV 6 72,375.00

94



$

Production Costs

$

Total

Television


3 CNMG 3,450.00

4 IETV 1,150.00

5 CNC 3 25,702.50

6 Synergy 1,265.00

7 Cable Tempo 15,525.00

8 JCD and Associates 296,100.00

Subtotal TT$ 133,325.00 TT$ 296,100.00 TT$ 429,425.00

Print

1 Guardian 738,097.68

2 Express 879,349.96

3 Newsday 866,686.96

Subtotal TT$ 2,484,134.60 TT$ 2,484,134.60

Total TT$ 4,047,568.36

95



Ministry of Finance


$

Production Costs

$

Total

Radio

1 Mungal Patasar 3,000.00

2 C.O.T.T. 24,000.00

3 Citadel Ltd. 10,350.00

4 103 F.M. 2,760.00

5 Ebony Radio 104 F.M. 4,140.00

6 Family Focus (98.1 F.M.) 20,734.50

7 CNMG 19,044.00

8 CL Communication Network 4,705.80

9 Telemedia ltd. 7,058.70

10 Radio Vision 12,765.00

11 Kaisoca Productions 6,348.00

12 Superior Infinite Prod. Ltd. 6,348.00


96



$

Production Costs

$

Total

Radio

14 TBC ltd. 23,575.00

15 Gem Radio Five Ltd 12,351.00

16 Q Corporation 8,625.00

17 Radio News Network ltd 4,269.38

18 Script J 35,319.56

Subtotal TT$ 199,093.94 TT$ 27,000.00 TT$ 226,093.94

Television

1 Epic Int. News Group 249,976.48

2 Tony Fraser 40,000.00

3 CCN TV 6 23,575.00

4 CNC 3 23,287.50

5 CNMG 14,950.00

Subtotal TT$ 351,788.98 TT$ 351,788.98

Print

1 Institutional Investor 554,000.00

97



$

Production Costs

$

Total

Print

2 Press Tribune/Economist 4,698,000.00

3 Newsday, Daily News ltd 408,667.49

4 Trinidad Express 490,014.77


6 Caribbean Paper & Printed Prd. 343,500.69 6,982,785.87

Subtotal TT$ 6,982,785.87 TT$ 6,982,785.87

Total TT$ 7,560,668.79


Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries


$

Production Costs

$

Total

Radio

1 Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil

Television

1 CNC 3 40,825.00

98



$

Production Costs

$

Total

Television

2 CNMG 170,775.00

3 CCN TV 6 375,475.00

4 WIN TV 16,100.00

Subtotal TT$ 603,175.00 TT$ 603,175.00

Print

1 Newsday 340,954.30

2 Trindad Express 306,954.30

3 Trinidad Express 444,782.97 Subtotal TT$ 1,092,691.57 TT$ 1,092,691.57

Production

1 David Renwick 20,000.00

2 Upstream Publications 91,737.50

3 Valdez and Tory 499,732.50

4 JCD & Associates 36742.5

5 Graphic Work 7,800.00

Subtotal TT$ 656,012.50 TT$ 656,012.50

Total TT$ 2,351,879.07

99



Ministry of Works and Transport


$

Production Costs

$

Total

Radio

1 107.7 F.M 1,035.00

2 Rapid Network Ltd. 2,070.00

3 Radio Vision 2,300.00

4 Citadel 27,600.00

Subtotal TT$ 33,005.00 TT$ 33,005.00

Television

1 CCN TV 6 316,825.00

Subtotal TT$ 316,825.00 TT$ 316,825.00

Print

1 Trinidad Express Newspaper 82,859.64

2 Daily News Ltd. (Newsday) 98,638.90

3 Trinidad Publishing Co. Ltd 88,696.51

Subtotal TT$ 270,195.05 TT$ 270,195.05

Total TT$ 620,025.05

100



Ministry of Public Utilities (& The Environment)


$

Production Costs

$

Total

Radio

1 Citadel 97,543.00

2 Issac 98.1 13,169.00

3 Sweet 100 2,760.00

4 Radio Tambrin 7,562.00

5 Heritage Radiio 8,625.00

6 Boom 94.1 8,280.00

7 Trini Bashment 18,360.00

8 Radio Jaggriti 5,796.00

9 TBC Network 30,188

10 Radio Shakti 46,000

11 CL Network 14490

12 WACK 7,107.00

13 Susan and Gerad Lampow 61,600.00

Subtotal TT$ 259,880.00 TT$ 61,600.00 TT$ 321,480.00

101



$

Production Costs

$

Total

Television

1 TV6 112,700.00

2 CNC3 119,830.00

3 CNMG 71,760.00

4 Synergy 5,060.00

5 NCC TV 10,120.00

6 IE TV 26,450.00

7 Gayelle 47,447.00

8 JCD and associates 203,665.00

Subtotal TT$ 393,367.00 TT$ 203,665.00 TT$ 597,032.00

Print

1 Trinidad Express 40799.00


3 Daily News Ltd. 38,053.00

4 Guardian/Express/Newsday

5 Lonsdale Saatchi & Saatchi 5,375

Subtotal TT$ 111,615.00 TT$ 5,375.00 TT$ 116,990.00

Total TT$ 1,035,502.00

102



Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs


$

Production Costs

$

Total

Radio

1 Citadel Ltd 97,750.00

2 Boom Champions 89,929.97

3 Isaac 98.1 fm 59,088.00

4 Power 102 fm 52,854.00

5 TBC Radio Network 48,985.26

6 Masala 101.1fm 28,750.00

7 103 fm 14,145.00

8 96.1 fm 10,695.00

9 Ebony 104.1 fm 9,246.20

10 Hott 93.5 fm 8,142.00

11 Talk City 91.1 fm 5,750.00

12 Radio Trinbago 94.7 fm 4,830.00

13 WACK 90.1 fm 2,501.25

103



$

Production Costs

$

Total

Radio

14 JWB Concepts 17,000.00

15 KMP Music Group 200

Subtotal TT$ 432,666.68 TT$ 17,200.00 TT$ 449,866.68

Television

1 Synergy TV 424,062.50

2 CNMG 148,005.00

3 CNC 3 127,650.00

4 TV 6 123,613.75


6 ACTS 25 30,000.00

7 WIN TV 16,000.00

8 NCC TV Channel 4 6,900.00

9 N Ali 118,155.52

10 Aya Vision 90,000.00

11 K. Douglas 21,500.00

104



$

Production Costs

$

Total

Television

12 R. Mark 6,000.00

13 D. Sirjoo 5,000.00

14 Total Video Productions 4,341.25

15 Video Associates 3,450.00

Subtotal TT$ 937,956.25 TT$ 248,446.77 TT$ 1,186,403.02

Print

1 Express 119,901.62

2 Newsday 102,893.95

3 Guardian 16,780.80

4 Mirror/Showtime 11,954.25

5 N. Ali 7,023.46

Subtotal TT$ 251,530.62 TT$ 7,023.46 TT$ 258,554.08

Total TT$ 1,894,823.78

105


January – December 2007 Ministry of Trade and Industry


$

Production Costs

$

Total

Radio 1 Rostant Advertising 56,350.00

Subtotal TT$ 56,350.00 TT$ 56,350.00

Television 1 Rostant Advertising 942,839.00

2 Gayelle ltd 11,040.00

3 Cable News 13,800.00 Subtotal TT$ 24,840.00 TT$ 942,839.00 TT$ 967,679.00

Print 1 Daily News Ltd 88,942.15 2 Trinidad Publishing 94,431.10

3 Express 138,973.84 Subtotal TT$ 322,347.09 TT$ 322,347.09

Total TT$ 1,346,376.09

Grand Summary Total TT$ 73,871,850.52

106


Variation to Appendix B



$

Production Costs

$

Total

Radio

1 102.7 FM 53,072.50

2 103 FM 634,231.83

3 107.7 FM 68,294.70

4 90.1 FM 2,117.70

5 96.1 FM 188,912.80

6 Cental Broadcasting Ltd 25,904.25

7 Central Radio FM 90 Ltd. 11,089.16

8 Citadel Ltd. 1,831,560.39

9 CL Communications Ltd 1,707,044.92

10 CNMG (91.1 Talk City) 266,236.23

11 CT Vibe 105 7,650.00

12 Ebony Radio 104 F.M. 13,386.20

13 Family Focus Ltd. 603,419.70

14 Gem Radio Five Ltd 147,351.00

15 HCU Communication Ltd.

92,121.96

16 Heartbeat Radio for Women

134,311.82

17 Heritage Communications Limited

66,399.99

18 Hott 93.5 fm 8,142.00

19 Innercity Broadcasting ltd 26,000.00

20 Kaiso Productions 246,619.35

21 KMP Music Group 13,750.00

107



$

Production Costs

$

Total

Radio

22 Masala 101.1fm 157,244.80

23 Music For life 30,475.00

24 Radio Jaagriti 32,568.00

25 Radio News Network Ltd 47,843.74

26 Radio Shakti 101,315.00

27 Radio Tambin 92.1 FM 19,087.50

28 Radio Toco 106.7 FM 12,186.00

29 Radio Trinbago 190,712.98

30 Radio Vision Limited 1,455,433.59

31 Raido Tambrin 2,300.00

32 Rapid Network Ltd. 2,070.00

33 Superiors Infinite Productions Ltd

440,584.98

34 Sweet 100 12,759.94

35 Telemedia Ltd 9,881.66

36 T&T Radio Network Ltd. 383,971.26

37 The Q Corporation (96.7 Red FM)

385,167.55


39 Trinidad & Tobago Radio Network

46,730.00

40 Trinidad Broadcasting Co. Ltd.

2,150,065.87

41 WABC 103.7 FM 195,388.65

42 WACK 90.1 166,320.75

43 WEFM 96.1 FM 42,510.00

44 WMJX 266,175.17

45 Scrip J 35,319.56

108



$

Production Costs

$

Total

Radio

46 United Cinemas Ltd 154,764.55

47 VL Communication Ltd 47,515.00

48 Production- Radio 317,503.16

Subtotal 13,526,485.40 317,503.16 13,843,988.56

Television

1 Caribbean Comunications Network Ltd.

9,084,978.99

2 Caribbean New Media Group

3,565,755.20

3 Central Broadcasting service

9,629.43

4 CNC3 2,648,218.65

5 Columbus Communications

467,566.00

6 Gayelle 2,574,239.44

7 IE TV 504,990.15

8 National Carnival Commission TV Channel 4 & 16

123,165.00

9 Synergy TV 747,194.20

10 Tobago Channel 5 118,910.00

11 Triniscene 7,441.18

12 WIN TV Limited 414,979.95

13 ACTS 25 30,000.00

14 Trico 11,466.08

15 Production-TV 1,532,955.81

Subtotal 20,308,534.27 1,532,955.81 21,841,490.08

Print

1 Blast Publications Ltd. 212,377.70

109



$

Production Costs

$

Total

Print

2 Daily News Limited (Newsday)

8,446,967.48

3 Caribbean Paper & Printed Products

375,439.07

4 Caribbean Sports Specialist

10,927.50

5 HCU Communication Ltd.

435,565.78

6 Intergraphic Ltd 12,190.00

7 Island Productions & Promotions

5,500.00

8 Institutional Investor 554,000.00

9 Keyland Computer Ltd 22,511.97

10 Jireh Magazines & Advertising Consultancy

5,000.00

11 Phillips Promotions Company Ltd

7,000.00

12 Latin America & The Caribbean Focus

69,492.02

13 Latin America & The Caribbean Focus

11,954.25

14 Regressional Babersaloon 5,500.00

15 T&T Newscentre Ltd. 373,279.26

16 The Trinidad and Tobago Cancer Society

12,000.00

17 TNT Association of Midwives

3,400.00

18 TNT Proleague 24,000.00

19 Tobago News 69,717.62


9,304,113.58

110



$

Production Costs

$

Total

Print


9,304,113.58

21 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited

5,819,911.08

22 Trinidad Style 63,250.00

23 Yearbooks Caribe 58,509.24

24 Williams Marketing 5,000.00

25 Press Tribune/Economist 4,698,000.00

26 Lonsdale Saatchi Adv. Ltd

47,227.00

27 Media Planners & Consultants Ltd.

761,788.90

28 Production-Print 6,648,949.43

Subtotal 31,414,622.45 6,648,949.43 38,063,571.88

Others

1 Internet 122,800.00

Subtotal 122,800.00 122,800.00

Total 73,871,850.52

111


The following question was asked by Mrs. Kamla Persad-Bissessar (Siparia):

De-shifting of Schools (Details of)


(a) the schools which have been de-shifted together with the date of de-shifting of each school; and

(b) the estimated and actual costs of de-shifting of each school mentioned in (a) together with a breakdown of expenditure for each in the areas of (i) construction (ii) equipping (iii) furnishing and (iv) any other costs?

The Minister of Education (Hon. Esther Le Gendre): With respect to Part (a) of the question, Mr. Speaker, the Education Policy Paper 1993 - 2003 which the Government of the day had endorsed as official Government policy recommended the de-shifting of Junior Secondary Schools. However, between the period 1995 – 2001, there was a failure to implement this policy on the part of the then UNC Government and as a result no schools were de-shifted when they were in Government.

With the return of the PNM Government in 2002, de-shifting of Junior Secondary Schools was re-established as a priority and a plan was developed to achieve this objective by 2008. Out of a total of twenty-one Junior Secondary Schools which were operating on a shift basis, to date fifteen have been de-shifted and six are to be de-shifted by September 2008. The schools that have been de-shifted to date are as follows:

De-shifted Schools

No. Name of School Year De-shifted

1 Morvant/Laventille Junior Secondary 1988

2 Ste Madeline Junior Secondary 1990

3 Marabella Junior Secondary 2003

4 Siparia Junior Secondary 2004

5 Carapichaima Junior Secondary 2005

6 Aranguez Junior Secondary 2005

112


No. Name of School Year De-shifted

7 Five Rivers Junior Secondary 2005

8 San Fernando East Junior Secondary 2006

9 Point Fortin Junior Secondary 2006

10 Williamsville Junior Secondary 2006

11 Sangre Grande Junior Secondary 2006

12 Mucurapo Junior Secondary 2007

13 Chaguanas Junior Secondary 2007

14 Mount Hope Junior Secondary 2007

15 Penal Junior Secondary 2007

With respect to Part (b) of the question, I want to share with this Honourable House what the de-shifting exercise entails. A Junior Secondary school operating on the shift system will have, for example, 960 students on the morning shift and 960 on the evening shift and would cater for Forms I, II and III over a three-year period. When the school is de-shifted it means that the school would then accommodate one shift only of 960 students. The other students would have to be placed at other schools where space is available.

The cost in de-shifting arises when these three-year schools are converted to five year schools to cater for Forms IV and V. There is then a need for additional classroom spaces, furniture and equipment. The first seven schools were de-shifted in one year and converted to five-year schools in subsequent years. That phased introduction of Forms IV and V together with a reduction of class sizes could therefore have been accommodated within the school maximizing all available spaces such as multipurpose rooms, labs and libraries. The additional costs of de-shifting these schools were therefore minimized.

The last eight schools, however, were de-shifted and converted to five-year schools in the same year requiring additional classrooms to be created through the construction of pre-engineered rooms. The following is the detailed breakdown of the budgeted and actual expenditure of all de-shifted schools:

113


Expenditure Relating to De-shifted Schools

No School Construction Furniture/Equipment

Budget Actual Budget Actual

$ $ $ $

1 Morvant Laventille Secondary

1,290,000.00 1,347,876.38 151,000.00 66,650.85

2 St. Madeleine Secondary

1,550,000.00 1,394,211.98 182,000.00 115,605.00

3 Marabella Secondary

1,290,000.00 1,193,932.45 151,000.00 110,658.45

4 Siparia Junior Secondary

1,550,000.00 1,552,923.63 182,000.00 115,605.00

5 Carapichamia Junior Secondary

2,770,000.00 2,769,539.83 300,000.00 130,605.00

6 Aranguez Junior Secondary

2,040,000.00 2,091,309.62 300,000.00 120,245.35

7 Five Rivers Secondary

1,570,000.00 1,564,016.28 300,000.00 115,375.00

8 San Fernando East Junior Secondary

2,580,000.00 2,636,422.46 302,000.00 162,859.20

9 Pt. Fortin Junior Secondary

2,580,000.00 2,819,858.66 302,000.00 182,752.50

114


No.

School

Construction

Furniture/Equipment

Budget Actual Budget Actual

$ $ $ $

10 Williamsville Junior Secondary

3,100,000.00 3,129,785.54 362,000.00 163,237.20

11 Sangre Grande Junior Secondary

4,130,000.00 3,762,359.73 483,000.00 312,116.70

12 Mucurapo Junior Secondary

5,690,000.00 6,634,418.10 350,000.00 436,707.29

13 Chaguanas Junior Secondary

5,960,000.00 7,103,107.20 350,000.00 435,107.18

14 Mt. Hope Junior Secondary

5,440,000.00 6,638,713.36 350,000.00 427,913.54

15 Penal Junior Secondary

5,960,000.00 8,249,027.06 160,000.00 460,360.74

47,500,000.00 52,887,502.27 4,225,000.00 3,355,799.00

Documents

Hansard - Parliament