Acting Minister of Works and Local Government Ganga Singh says the Government has no problem with former national security minister Jack Warner constructing a walkway over the East Dry River in Sea Lots with the support of private businessmen. Singh gave a brief interview to reporters during yesterday’s Senate tea break at Parliament at the Waterfront Complex, Port-of-Spain. He is acting for Dr Surujrattan Rambachan, who is attending a local government conference in Uganda.
Saying Warner was simply following through on the promise, Singh said he was aware of Warner’s intention to get the support of private sponsors and a local contractor to complete the project. “Once it is consistent with the developmental plan that was in place, together with the Ministry of Works, I have no problem with that,” Singh said. He said the plan was “not crystallised overnight or since he demitted office. That plan has been in place prior to that, so this is just a follow-through.”
Singh, leader of the Upper House, also dismissed claims by Opposition Senator Faris Al-Rawi, who told the Senate earlier that the Upper House had been adjourned for two weeks because it had no business to debate. Singh said that was not so, and the Anti-Doping in Sport Bill was debated yesterday only, because the Opposition objected to the six days’ notice given for the debate. “They did not want it, that short notice. That is the only reason why (there was no sitting.”
Singh said there was a packed legislative agenda and the Senate would debate a Customs Amendment Bill next week, after which it would be Private Members Day. Next, debate would commence on the Beverage Container Bill, and he said the debate on the Defence Amendment Bill was scheduled to resume in early June.
He said Independent senator Helen Drayton had submitted “recommendations” which were being considered by the Office of the Attorney General. Asked to clarify, Singh said Drayton said she would have some amendments to the bill. Singh said the future of that bill would be determined when debate resumes.
Procurement, insurance and planning legislation are also expected to be brought to Parliament shortly, he said, but the Government was having a problem with the drafting department to handle the number of bills to be drafted. He said legislative draftsmen were not easily procured but measures were being implemented to address the shortage. He also defended the Government’s track record on answering questions on the Order Paper.
Asked to explain why one question on the Boxing Board, which was due to be answered since last December had not been answered as yet, Singh said: “It is a matter that certainly will engage my attention.” The former Caroni East MP said he had fought six elections in his career so far and he felt that was enough, when asked about the chances of his contesting the Chaguanas West by-election.
