PM Rowley-led Government again attempts to muzzle the MP for Couva North: UNC

Trinidad and Tobago: Following last Friday’s debate in the House it was clear that the Government’s speakers were totally unprepared in supporting the Minister of Trade and Industry and Enterprise Development in piloting the Bill on the CARIFORUM-UK Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), said the United National Congress. The Minister herself showed an absolute lack of research, forethought and consideration of the issues that are inimitable to this significant agreement.

"What the country saw was a complete disregard by the Minister of issues that pertained to the development of the Agricultural sector, Manufacturing Sector and Entrepreneurship," the statement read.

Member of Parliament for Couva North, Ravi Ratiram said, "The Minister not only lacked answers to questions raised by my colleagues - MPs Lee, Parray, Tancoo and Indarsingh, but also opted to close the debate before MPs like myself could contribute on key matters, especially those relating to our farmers who will be key to enacting the measures of this EPA."

He alleged that why has the Government yet again chosen the mode of stifling debate as opposed to allowing a proper discussion on national development? Were they trying to hide their failures in Trade?

After the MP for Couva South concluded, it was highlighted that other Members of the Opposition were prepared to speak, yet the Minister refused to do the gracious thing and give way, but chose instead to hurriedly to conclude the debate, because it was evident that Government was utterly incapable of carrying on the debate on the Bill.

Having been denied the opportunity to contribute on the Bill, MP Ratiram said "I wish to make available to the national community my speaking notes, which highlight several issues of key importance and raise serious questions as to the Government’s level of groundwork or lack thereof, that would place our manufacturers, our service providers, our entrepreneurs of industry and commerce in a favorable position to successfully maneuver this level of international trade."

Further, he stated, "I encourage all recipients and readers of these attached notes to be bold enough to ask these questions of the Government; to not allow the Government to bully the national community in the same way that they brazenly attempt to muzzle the constitutionally elected parliamentary opposition."

The issues and questions that are contained in these notes as well as those raised by my Opposition colleagues yesterday during the debate are important ones that demand a response from the Government, who remain at all times accountable to the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.

Rest assured that we in the Opposition will not give up; we will never give up, because we are an Opposition bench who care and because we are led by the most caring Prime Minister this country has ever seen, the Hon. Kamla Persad-Bissessar, SC, MP who, with your trust and support, we will return to that Office and into Government in due course.