DOCSLIB.ORG

19950614, House Debates

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
19950614, House Debates 1061 Leave of Absence Wednesday, June 14, 1995 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Wednesday, June 14, 1995 The House met at 1.35 p.m. PRAYERS [MADAM SPEAKER in the Chair] LEAVE OF ABSENCE Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, I have granted leave of absence from today’s sitting to the Member for San Fernando West (Hon. Ralph Maraj). ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS Preysal (Establishment of Post Office) 119. Mr. Raymond Palackdharrsingh (Caroni Central) asked the Minister of Public Utilities: (a) Would the Minister indicate whether the community of Preysal qualified for the establishment of a post office? (b) If the answer is in the affirmative, would the Minister indicate what steps are being taken to provide this facility? (c) If the answer is in the negative, could the Minister state what services are provided to meet postal needs of the community? The Minister of Energy and Energy Industries (Sen. The Hon. Barry Barnes): Madam Speaker, the Post Master General has advised that the critertia normally used for establishing a post office include inter alia: (a) the volume of postal services demanded; (b) the distance from an existing postal facility, that is a minimum of 9.6 kilometres from an existing post office; (c) potential for the development of the area. Based on the development criteria, the community of Preysal does not qualify at this time for the establishment of a post office. The community of Preysal located between Couva and Gran Couva is currently serviced by: (i) Couva Post Office which lies approximately 5.7 kilometres to the west of the community of Preysal; 1062 Oral Answers to Questions Wednesday, June 14, 1995 [SEN. THE HON. B. BARNES] (ii) Gran Couva Post Office which is approximately 4.6 kilometres to the north of the community of Preysal. (iii) Calcutta Settlement Postal Agency which is only 0.8 kilometres to the north of the community of Preysal. In addition to counter services, the Couva Post Office provides a home delivery service on a daily basis to approximately 70 per cent of the households in Preysal. Gran Couva Post Office, on the other hand, provides only counter services. The Calcutta Settlement Postal Agency provides two types of counter service— the collection and postage of mail and the sale of stamps. Given the present available financial resources of the Postal Services Division, the Couva Post Office is unable to provide a home delivery service to some 200 households in the newly developed areas in the community of Preysal. Nevertheless, the Postmaster General is considering the possibility of establishing a postal agency in close proximity to those houses. Madam Speaker: I had indicated to the Police Commissioner that whenever there are marches around the Red House as soon as the sitting starts, the police should ask the demonstrators outside to tone down the volume of whatever they are using so that the business of the House can proceed. Mr. B. Panday: They paid $2,000 for that tassa— CNG Filling Stations (Safety Requirements) 120. Mr. Raymond Palackdharrysingh (Caroni Central) asked the Minister of Energy and Energy Industries: Would the Minister state: (a) What are the basic safety requirements for setting down CNG filling stations? (b) Whether the CNG filling station at Montrose, Chaguanas, has met those criteria? (c) What mechanism is put in place to deal with complaints, real or perceived from persons residing in close proximity to such filling station? (d) What alternative or emergency plans exist for such residents? 1063 Oral Answers to Questions Wednesday, June 14, 1995 (e) Whether victims and/or their families would be fully compensated in the event of an accident or disaster? The Minister of Energy and Energy Industries (Sen. The Hon. Barry Barnes): Madam Speaker, the installation of CNG Regulations 1994, which require that CNG systems conform to standards issued by the Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards or other regulatory organizations approved by the Minister. The regulations were published as legal Notice No. 196 on October 18, 1994. The National Petroleum Marketing Company Limited was granted approval for the installation of CNG dispensing facilities at S. Maharaj Service Station, which is presumably the Montrose, Chaguanas station referred to in the question. As with all other existing gas stations, the installation is governed by the rules, regulations and procedures that are legally required for the safety of gas stations. Persons in the vicinity of a gas station who have real or perceived complaints may lodge such complaints with the national Petroleum Marketing Company and thereafter with the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries where all such complaints are investigated. In terms of petroleum fuels, experience has shown that CNG is among the safest. Moreover, CNG equipment is rigorously designed, operated and controlled. As a result, there is no necessity for special emergency plans over and above the standard safety precautions which apply to gasoline stations. Both the gas station dealer and the National petroleum Marketing Company are required to maintain accident insurance under the terms of the gas station licences. Squatters (Arena and Carlsen Field) 121. Mr. Raymond Palackdharrysingh (Caroni Central) asked the Minister of Housing and Settlements: (a) Would the Minister state what progress has been made in the regularization of squatters in Arena and Carlsen Field? (b) Would such regularization be completed in 1995? The Minister of Housing and Settlement (Dr. The Hon. Vincent Lasse): Madam Speaker, preliminary site investigations by the National Housing Authority have revealed that the squatter settlement at Arena comprises some 68 families. The site is considered to be well laid out and some of the residents have 1064 Oral Answers to Questions Wednesday, June 14, 1995 [DR. THE HON. V. LASSE] basic amenities such as electricity and water. The NHA is currently liaising with the Lands and Surveys Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Marine Resources with respect to the change of ownership of the lands at Arena from the Praesto Presto Camp. Investigations at Carlsen Field have revealed that this site, on which there are several pockets of residential squatters, is not well laid out. A more structured arrangement is required in order to minimize infrastructural development costs and obtain regulatory approvals. These lands are State lands and investigations indicate that the squatters were in occupation before 1986. Some of the lands on the site require approvals for change of use from agricultural to residental purposes. Here again ongoing discussions are taking place with the Lands and Surveys Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Marine Resources. 1.45 p.m. These two areas are not included in the regularization programme for 1995. Mr. Palackdharrysingh: A supplementary question, Madam Speaker. Would the Minister indicate what measures are put in place to prevent his heartless Government from demolishing people's homes? Madam Speaker: That is an entirely different question. It does not have any bearing on this one. The Member may file that question for answer in due course. ARRANGEMENT OF BUSINESS The Minister of Trade and Industry and Minister in the Ministry of Finance (Hon. Kenneth Valley): Madam Speaker, I beg to move that the House now consider at page 3 of the Order Paper, Motion No. 1, under "Private Business." Agreed to. NO CONFIDENCE (PRIME MINISTER) Mr. Basdeo Panday (Couva North): Madam Speaker, I beg to move, the following Motion: Whereas recent events have revealed the Prime Minister's woeful incompetence in dealing with the nation's affairs; Be it Resolved that this honourable House express its lack of confidence in Prime Minister Patrick Manning. 1065 No Confidence (Prime Minister) Wednesday, June 14, 1995 It is a simple Motion, not many "Whereases". It is simple and to the point. I am extremely elated that the Prime Minister has taken this Motion so seriously. Had he not done so, he would not have attempted a mobilization of the kind that we have seen today. I am so happy. Never in my life have I been greeted with so much love and affection as I walked through, into what was anticipated would be the lion's den, and I have never received so many handshakes and kisses from so many beautiful women. I thank the hon. Prime Minister for that. It is a pity you had to stop the tassa, Madam Speaker, because my learned colleague, I understand, paid $2,000 for that and she should have been given the opportunity to enjoy it a little more. As I say, I have never had so much fun in my life. I never thought I was so loved among what was formerly the PNM support. But it is my information—if I am wrong, I stand corrected—that many of the URP jobs have been closed down for the day. We would have an investigation afterwards, of course, but I am merely saying that people have been promised the day's pay; they are provided with transport; some maxi taxis. I know two buses came from San Fernando, because one of my colleagues called me and said: "Bas, they ask me to come up; I am going up eh, but I am still voting for you." They have also been provided with $10.00, a jersey and snacks after the demonstration. I want to make only one point. I want to tell every person who came here today that if the Government reneges and does not pay them, I am a trade unionist; just come to me and we are going to carry out the struggle for payment, for every cent it promised them. You would note, Madam Speaker, that the Motion is not a motion of no confidence in the Government; it is not that.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Coversheet for Thesis in Sussex Research Online
    A University of Sussex PhD thesis Available online via Sussex Research Online: http://sro.sussex.ac.uk/ This thesis is protected by copyright which belongs to the author. This thesis cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the Author The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the Author When referring to this work, full bibliographic details including the author, title, awarding institution and date of the thesis must be given Please visit Sussex Research Online for more information and further details ICT4D policy for Trinidad and Tobago: Discursive constructions Kieron K.E. Swift Thesis submitted for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy February 2017 SPRU University of Sussex ii Summary This thesis uses a contextual case study approach covering the period 1985 to 2011 to examine the construction of Trinidad and Tobago’s ICT4D policy as discourse. The guiding theory of method is contextualism as described in Pettigrew (1990), according to whom a contextual analysis can be characterised as: processual, by emphasising the evolution of actions embedded in specific contexts (structural and otherwise) over time; multi-stakeholder, by recognising the competing viewpoints of reality perceived by actors at different levels; longitudinal, by considering both historical and contemporary views of actions and events. Consistent with this approach a framework has been adopted here that views policy as an iterative process involving the generation of texts from events, the translation of texts into narratives, and competition between alternative narratives resulting in institutions, which, in turn, enable and constrain events.
    [Show full text]
  • I 4 ) the CARIBBEAN QUEST: 2 O J DIRECTIONS for the REFORM PROCESS 25-26 June 1997 Port-Of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
    INT-1762 íI 4 ) THE CARIBBEAN QUEST: 2 O j DIRECTIONS FOR THE REFORM PROCESS 25-26 June 1997 Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago INFORMATION PAPER United Nations Economic Commission for Latín America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Association of Caribbean States (ACS) i i i < i i THE CARIBBEAN QUEST: DIRECTIONS FOR THE REFORM PROCESS Rationale for the conference The pace of political and economic change is accelerating rapidly, globally and within the Caribbean región. The early reform process of the 1980s and 1990s is now being deepened and widened and will give rise to a 'second wave' in public policy management. New solutions are being formulated to meet the rising challenges in the business of development and changes in the political economy of Caribbean societies. In times of great change, leaders need an understanding of the current situation, a clear visión of the future, and the ability to think strategically, negotiate effectively, and consider long-term consequences of particular courses of action. Policy makers and government managers need the technical skills to promote policy change and the resolve to see it happen, while executives of public interest organizations need to be knowledgeable about policy choices and adopt innovative approaches in response to paradigm shifts in social and economic thinking, and create institutions and instruments for the governance process. The "imperatives of adjustment" provided the policy rationale for the 1980s and 90s. The manifestation of present and fiiture objectives requires the development of a strategic programme of action to ensure that the external and internal components of economic development strategies can be integrated into a continuing platform for change.
    [Show full text]
  • Press and Politics in Trinidad and Tobago: a Study of Five Electoral Campaigns Over Ten Years, 2000-2010 Bachan-Persad, I
    Press and politics in Trinidad and Tobago: A study of five electoral campaigns over ten years, 2000-2010 Bachan-Persad, I. Submitted version deposited in CURVE October 2014 Original citation & hyperlink: Bachan-Persad, I. (2012) Press and politics in Trinidad and Tobago: A study of five electoral campaigns over ten years, 2000-2010. Unpublished Thesis. Coventry: Coventry University. Copyright © and Moral Rights are retained by the author. A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study, without prior permission or charge. This item cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the copyright holder(s). The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders. Some materials have been removed from this thesis due to third party copyright. Pages where material has been removed are clearly marked in the electronic version. The unabridged version of the thesis can be viewed at the Lanchester Library, Coventry University. CURVE is the Institutional Repository for Coventry University http://curve.coventry.ac.uk/open Press and politics in Trinidad and Tobago: A study of five electoral campaigns over ten years, 2000- 2010 I. Bachan-Persad Doctor of Philosophy [Media and Politics] 2012 Press and politics in Trinidad and Tobago: A study of five electoral campaigns over ten years, 2000- 2010 By Indrani Bachan-Persad A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy [Media and Politics] at Coventry University, UK August 2012 The work contained within this document has been submitted by the student in partial fulfilment of the requirement of their course and award i ABSTRACT This thesis analyzes the role of the press in five political campaigns in Trinidad and Tobago, over a ten year period, from 2000 to 2010.
    [Show full text]
  • 20030625, House Debates
    1 Leave of Absence Wednesday, June 25, 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Wednesday, June 25, 2003 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 for leave of absence from this Special Sitting of the House, from the Member for San Fernando West (Hon. Diane Seukeran). IMMIGRATION (CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY SKILLED NATIONALS) (AMDT.) BILL Bill to amend the Immigration (Caribbean Community Skilled Nationals) Act, 1996 [The Minister of Culture and Tourism]; read the first time. Motion made, That the next stage be taken forthwith. [Hon. K. Valley] Question put and agreed to. The Minister of Culture and Tourism (Hon. Pennelope Beckles): Mr. Speaker, I beg to move, That the Immigration (Caribbean Community Skilled Nationals) (Amdt.) Bill be now read a second time. Mr. Speaker, the Bill before us is the Immigration (Caribbean Community Skilled Nationals) (Amdt.) Bill, 2003. The main purpose of this Bill is to widen, beyond university graduates, the categories of persons eligible for free movement in Member States of the Caribbean Community, Caricom, to include artistes, musicians, sports persons and media workers. The Bill will also widen the application of the Act to include persons qualifying as citizens of Caribbean Community States by descent, registration, naturalization and adoption and put beyond doubt the authority of immigration officers to permit the spouses and dependants of persons who satisfy the qualification requirements of the Act to enter Trinidad and Tobago. Finally, the Bill includes, in the list of qualifying Caribbean Community States, Haiti, the latest full member of Caricom.
    [Show full text]
  • 19990702, House Debates
    THE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES OFFICIAL REPORT IN THE FOURTH SESSION OF THE FIFTH PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO WHICH OPENED ON NOVEMBER 27, 1995 SESSION 1998—1999 VOLUME 16 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Friday, July 02, 1999 The House met at 1.32 p.m. PRAYERS [MR. SPEAKER in the Chair] CONDOLENCES (MR. VERE CORNWALL BIRD, SNR.) Mr. Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to bring to the notice of this honourable House the death, in Antigua, of the former Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Mr. Vere Cornwall Bird, Snr., who died on Monday night after a long illness spanning several months. Having regard to the type of contribution which the late Mr. Bird has made in the Caribbean, I think it is fitting that this be formally brought to the notice of this House, and representatives from both sides would have the opportunity of expressing condolences. The Minister of Foreign Affairs (Hon. Ralph Maraj): Mr. Speaker, the Government and people of Trinidad and Tobago extend sincere condolences to all members of the Bird family and to the citizens of Antigua and Barbuda on the passing of a national hero of Antigua and Barbuda, a stalwart and Caribbean Integrationist, the Honourable Sir Vere Cornwall Bird. It is with great sadness that Trinidad and Tobago learned of the passing of the last founding member of contemporary Caribbean integration. V. C. Bird’s commitment to the region’s social and economic advancement, as manifested by his active participation in the labour and integration movement, is a legacy that will guide us always.
    [Show full text]