Mr. Prime Minister, why engage Dr. Terrence Farrell if the recommendations are not considered?

In 2018, Dr. Terrence Farrell resigned as Chairman of the Economic Development Advisory Board (EDAB), reportedly dissatisfied with the lack of progress made under his leadership. His departure signaled frustration with a system that appeared to resist meaningful change. Given this history, it was puzzling to see Dr. Farrell appointed to another committee, this time, focusing on constitutional reform. So, I was not surprised when I read recent headlines suggesting that the government is once again unwilling to embrace key recommendations from the team.

Your administration has dismissed two of the most significant recommendations from the committee, headed by Mr. Barry Sinanan SC and including Dr.Terrence Farrell as a committee member. Those recommendations are fixed election dates and proportional representation for general elections. This raises an important question: Why engage respected thought leaders if there is no intention of seriously considering their proposals?

The recommendation for fixed election dates is not just about predictability; it’s about fairness and transparency. I recall former Prime Minister Manning saying that he had the election date in his back pocket and the wash of objections that were experienced.

Fixed election dates would eliminate the strategic advantage currently held by sitting governments, which can call elections at times most favorable to them. By having a set date, all political parties would be on equal footing, and the electorate could plan and prepare for elections in a more structured manner. This could lead to a more informed and engaged citizenry, enhancing the democratic process. 

Proportional representation is another recommendation that has been rejected. This system aims to create a more accurate reflection of the electorate’s will in the composition of the Parliament. In the current first-past-the-post system, a party can secure a majority of seats without a majority of the popular vote, leading to a skewed representation. Proportional representation would ensure that smaller parties and minority groups have a voice in decision-making, fostering a more inclusive and balanced political environment.

Implementing social change requires more than appointing committees; it requires the political will to act on their recommendations. If the government is not willing to consider proposals like fixed election dates and proportional representation, then one must question the purpose of forming these committees in the first place. True reform requires a commitment to listening to expert advice and making decisions that may not always align with short-term political interests but serve the long-term good of the nation.

If the government continues disregarding the insights of our experts it risks perpetuating the issues these reforms seek to address. The people of Trinidad and Tobago deserve a government that is open to meaningful change, not one that merely pays lip service to the idea of reform.

Dr. Terrence Farrell, a respected economist, disagrees with Marla Dukharan’s claim that billions of US dollars are “missing” from Trinidad and Tobago. Dukharan posted a video stating that over the past 12 years, more than US$25 billion has disappeared from the country, making us the world’s biggest loser of foreign exchange.

Farrell argues that her analysis is flawed because the flow of money in and out of the country is complex. He points out that not all our earnings from oil and gas go through local banks, so they might not be properly accounted for. He also suggests that some of the “missing” money could be due to errors in how transactions are recorded.

Dukharan acknowledges that there may be some mistakes, but she remains concerned about the large amount of money—over US$2 billion each year—that isn’t being properly tracked. She believes it’s crucial to figure out where this money is going and why, so we can develop better policies to protect our economy.

The Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago (CBTT) also weighed in, explaining that some of the confusion stems from errors and incomplete data, such as inaccurate tracking of how much people spend when they travel abroad and the low response rate from companies in their surveys.

But what is the average person supposed to take away from the conflicting perspectives of these two highly intelligent individuals, especially since the Central Bank has not offered much clarity on the issue? If data collection is the root of the problem, what steps are being taken to improve it? How is the CBTT enhancing its ability to track money flows?

Considering the past controversy where a former Central Bank Governor was reportedly fired after releasing the names of companies that purchased one-third of the foreign exchange over three years, one would expect greater efforts to encourage comprehensive data collection and transparency. How is it that the public remains unaware of where large sums of money, particularly from oil and gas exports, are coming from and where they are going? This is yet another sign of the lack of transparency in our financial systems.

If US$2 billion is indeed unaccounted for each year, then an independent audit or investigation should be conducted to uncover more details about these outflows. Understanding where this money is going could help shape better economic policies and safeguard the country’s foreign exchange reserves.

Instead of dismissing Marla Dukharan’s claims as “jackassness,” a responsible leader would have focussed on improving data collection, increasing transparency, and conducting an independent audit to get to the bottom of the issue. What we need are robust systems to enhance our economic policies and protect the country’s foreign exchange reserves.

Minister of Works and Transport Rohan Sinanan, do you know Dr. Emru Millette? You recently said, “Unfortunately, in downtown Port of Spain and the western peninsula, no study was ever commissioned for those areas.” This is not true.

In the early 1980s, Dr. Emru Millette created a detailed drainage plan for Port of Spain. This study, commissioned to understand the city’s drainage and flooding issues, identified key problems with the infrastructure. Despite being paid for, the plan was ignored due to political reasons. Millette’s study showed that proper drainage systems were essential to prevent flooding. Because his recommendations were not followed, the city still faces flood problems today.

Evidence shows that Port of Spain’s drainage issues have existed for decades, even before the climate crisis. Two main sources—the Millette drainage plan and analyses by local engineers—show that poor infrastructure, not just climate change, is a major cause of the city’s frequent flooding.

A 2010 editorial in the Trinidad Guardian reported that Engineer Richard Saunders, then President of the Association of Professional Engineers of Trinidad and Tobago, called the Millette plan “excellent work” that is still relevant today. He noted that the report is updateable for current challenges but its basic insights are still valid. Winston Riley, then President of the Joint Consultative Council, agreed, saying the plan offers a good solution to the city’s drainage problems if updated for modern conditions.

Other engineers have also mentioned the Millette report over the years. They say it provides a strong foundation but needs modern updates to solve current problems.

Minister Sinanan, your claim that no studies have been done to analyze the flooding issues in Port of Spain is worrying. After nine years, if your government has not found these studies, it is time to rethink your approach to these important issues.

While it’s true that climate change is a factor in recent flooding, ignoring the infrastructure issues is a mistake. The Millette drainage plan and expert analyses show that Port of Spain’s flooding problems are deeply rooted in old infrastructure problems. Fixing these issues requires a comprehensive update of past recommendations and modern engineering solutions. Only by using this joint approach can the city effectively manage future flood risks.

Wheel and come again Minister Sinanan.