Anna Ramdass

Trinidad and Tobago

Senior Political Journalist at Trinidad Express

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Articles

AG: Govt fixing Opposition’s mistake

12 hours ago | trinidadexpress.com | Anna Ramdass

The Prime Minister’s Pension (Amendment) Bill, 2025, was passed in the House of Representatives yesterday without support from the People’s National Movement (PNM) Opposition. Just before 6 p.m., a vote was taken by House Speaker Jagdeo Singh, with 27 Government members voting in favour while 11 Opposition members abstained. The two Tobago People’s Party (TPP) MPs voted in support—Tobago West MP Joel Sampson and Tobago East MP David Thomas.
...Terminations followed ‘review, advice from AG’

13 hours ago | trinidadexpress.com | Anna Ramdass

Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath has confirmed that all Community-Based Environmental Protection and Enhancement Programme (CEPEP) contractors have been terminated, following a thorough review and advice from the Attorney General. At a post-Cabinet news conference on June 5, 2025, Padarath claimed that on the eve of the April 28 general election—between April 14 and April 24—the PNM government renewed over 360 CEPEP contracts for a three-year period.
Young targeted by ‘vindictive, wicked’ legislation, says Beckles

13 hours ago | trinidadexpress.com | Anna Ramdass

Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles yesterday defended a million-dollar pension for former prime minister Stuart Young. Speaking during the debate on the Prime Minister’s Pension (Amendment) Bill, 2025, at yesterday’s sitting of Parliament, Beckles said many people view the bill and its apparent intent to target Young as “deliberately vindictive, revengeful, and wicked”. The Opposition indicated it has no objection to the proposed tiered system in the legislation.
Pension vote puts PNM rift under scrutiny

1 day ago | trinidadexpress.com | Anna Ramdass

Will the Opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) support or reject the move to amend the Prime Minister’s Pension Act, which would in effect ensure that former prime minister Stuart Young does not receive an annual million-dollar pension for life? Opposition Chief Whip Marvin Gonzales said yesterday that the party will be having a caucus before the session today to confirm its position.
Rather be fired for working than not

2 days ago | trinidadexpress.com | Anna Ramdass

“I’d rather be fired for doing my job, than for not doing my job.”This was the only comment fired Central Bank governor Dr Alvin Hilaire gave to the Express yesterday via WhatsApp in response to questions regarding the revocation of his appointment. He did not respond to further questions about whether he plans to take any legal action over his dismissal. Hilaire’s appointment was revoked on Tuesday by President Christine Kangaloo, at the request of the Kamla Persad-Bissessar-led Cabinet.
Over 21,000 suspensions in 3 years’

3 days ago | trinidadexpress.com | Anna Ramdass

EDUCATION Minister Dr Michael Dowlath has revealed a troubling rise in student indiscipline, particularly at the secondary school level. The minister raised the issue during his contribution to the mid-year budget review debate at the Parliament sitting at the Red House, Port of Spain on Monday. He noted that between 2022 and 2025, suspensions rose by nearly 87%, increasing from 5,167 in the 2022-2023 academic year to 9,676 in 2024-2025.
800 food cards found in ministry office, says Mohit

3 days ago | trinidadexpress.com | Anna Ramdass

MINISTER of the People, Social Development and Family Services Vandana Mohit has disclosed that more than 800 food cards were found in the ministry’s office when she took up her position. Speaking during her contribution to the mid-year budget review debate in Parliament, at the Red House, Port of Spain, on Monday, Mohit said, “When I entered the Ministry of the People, in the first week we were looking in some of the drawers preparing our office and so on.
'Dunciness is calling early elections and getting licks'

3 days ago | trinidadexpress.com | Anna Ramdass

Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander has urged the nation’s youth to never give up in the face of criticisms. Speaking on the debate of the mid-year budget review at the Parliament sitting on Monday the Minister took a moment to respond to Opposition MP Marvin Gonzales who is reported to have criticised Alexander’s reading of speeches. Gonzales made the comments at a public meeting in Tobago where he said “Dr Eric Williams did not die for that.
Hilaire out: Howai tipped as replacement

3 days ago | trinidadexpress.com | Anna Ramdass

The appointment of Dr Alvin Hilaire as Governor and chairman of the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago (CBTT) has been revoked. He is tipped to be replaced by former minister of finance Larry Howai. The Express understands Hilaire’s appointment was revoked yesterday by President Christine Kangaloo at the request of the Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar-led Cabinet.
‘T&T missed big payoff’

4 days ago | trinidadexpress.com | Anna Ramdass

Energy Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal is contending that Trinidad and Tobago could have reaped greater benefits from the current conflict involving Iran if the former government had not shut down the Petrotrin refinery. Contributing to the mid-year budget review debate at yesterday’s parliamentary sitting, Moonilal said he had been closely monitoring developments in the Strait of Hormuz—a 21-mile oil chokepoint separating the Persian Gulf from the Gulf of Oman.