Government Minister, Allyson West, stated clearly in the Senate yesterday (Tuesday 11th January 2022) that the Government will not be suspending its roll-out of the property tax and, as of now, the deadline for submission of property tax valuation return forms remain at 31st January 2022.

The Government previously extended that deadline in November 2021. Earlier that month, when responding to an urgent question in Parliament from Opposition Chief Whip David Lee, Finance Minister Colm Imbert said the Valuation Division of the Ministry of Finance had not received the required 200,000 valuation return forms needed to proceed with the implementation of property tax. He said then that the total number of returns for residential properties at that time was 165,000. However, according to the law, Government needs to receive 200,000 valuation return forms before the process of implementation of property tax can commence.

Failure to submit the valuation return form by the deadline date constitutes a criminal offence that is punishable by a fine of $5,000 under Section 32 of the Valuation of Land Act.

At the Senate sitting on Tuesday, Opposition Senator Wade Mark asked Minister West whether the Government would consider suspending the filing of information on property and land ownership, given the growing concerns of citizens because of the Government’s accelerated initiative to populate the property valuation roll.

Minister West responded to the question by saying, “Madam President, the Government does not intend to suspend the gathering and filing of returns of property as it would result in a wastage of scarce resources, time and effort.”

West, the Public Administration Minister, said as evidenced by Clause 78 of the Local Government Reform Bill currently before the Parliament, it is the intention of Government to empower local Government corporations, regardless of their political affiliation, to collect and retain residential property tax. She explained that this measure is designed to provide local Government corporations with a significant and sustainable income stream for their projects and programmes.

Minister West added, “Any move to suspend the process of population of the valuation rolls would therefore undermine this initiative and weaken the local Government reform process.”

When further question by Senator Mark whether it was the intention of Government to allocate 100% of the property tax to local Government bodies, Minister West said she could not give a percentage but reiterated that the intention was to allocate residential property tax to local Government.

Senator Mark asked what would it take for the Government to reconsider its position in seeking to impose this “draconian” property tax which the people cannot afford to bear. However, President of the Senate, Christine Kangaloo said that question was not allowed.

Minister West later advised that she was unable to provide information as to when the population of the valuation roll will be completed. She said the current exercise was ongoing and at the end of the period “we would be in a better position to indicate when we think we would have obtained the minimum number of valuations required to commence the collection of property tax.”

It is therefore possible that the deadline date could be once again extended if the Government does not receive the required 200,000 return forms by 31st January 2022.

[Source: Trinidad Express]

In a Media Release on Friday (31st December 2021), Finance Minister Colm Imbert, MP, said he has taken note of statements made earlier that day by members of the Opposition UNC regarding the alleged approval by the Minister of Finance of special licenses for the M.V. Ocean Pelican and/or Adrian Scoon.

Police detained 100 persons who were onboard the Ocean Pelican in Chaguaramas on Boxing Day (Sunday 26th December 2021). The group was processed and subsequently released pending further enquiries. The organizer of the event was identified as Adrian Scoon, the son of Minister of Trade and Industry, Paula Gopee-Scoon.

Minister Imbert said, “For the record, the Minister of Finance did NOT approve the special licenses issued to the M.V. Ocean Pelican and/or Adrian Scoon that are currently circulating on social media. To the contrary, being aware of the current prohibition on party boats, when asked to approve the special licenses last month, on November 5, 2021, the Minister queried the permissibility of the request in the context of the current COVID-19 Public Health Regulations.”

The Media Release went on to explain, “Upon consideration of the Minister's query, the request to the Minister to approve the licenses was withdrawn. As a consequence, the Minister of Finance did not approve the licenses, which is an express requirement of Section 45(1)(c) of the Liquor Licences Act Chap. 84.10. However, for yet unresolved reasons, despite clear written instructions to the contrary on December 3, 2021, the Customs and Excise Division issued the said licenses, without the approval of the Minister.”

​These licenses, the Minister states, have since been deemed by the Customs and Excise Division to be “null and void as no directions for the issuance of same were given by the Minister of Finance.”

The statement concluded by noting, “The irregular and unauthorized issuance of these special licenses is now under investigation.”

Meanwhile, on Twitter, the Minister also commented on the matter, saying, “The facts regarding the issuance of special licenses for the M.V. Ocean Pelican under the Liquor Licenses Act are being grossly misrepresented in the public domain. In view of the COVID-19 Regulations, I was careful NOT to approve any such license.” He also provided copies of the relevant supporting documents.

In a Media Release on Tuesday (28th December 2021), Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar said the Attorney General’s latest debacle proves “the Rowley regime needs mandatory truth serum.”

​Police detained 100 persons who were onboard the “Ocean Pelican” vessel in Chaguaramas on Boxing Day (Sunday 26th December 2021). The group was processed and subsequently released pending further enquiries. The organizer of the event is said to be Adrian Scoon, the son of Minister of Trade and Industry, Paula Gopee-Scoon.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Faris Al-Rawi, issued a statement of clarification on Tuesday regarding his alleged involvement in the matter, denying he offered any legal advice to Mr. Scoon about how to bypass the Public Health Regulations.

In her Media Release, Mrs. Persad-Bissessar said, “During the past 6 years, there has been no shortage of ways in which Attorney General Faris Al Rawi has debased himself and the once-respected office he holds. However, Al Rawi’s latest debacle surely seals his fate as the most unethical Attorney General in our nation’s history.”

She continued, “It is simply appalling that while Keith Rowley has now resorted to threatening public servants to either accept mandatory vaccination or unemployment, his Attorney General Faris Al Rawi is simultaneously providing personal advice to well-connected PNM individuals on how to circumvent the Government's own COVID-19 protocols.”

The Opposition Leader said that in this instance, “Al Rawi allegedly advised the son of Minister Paula Gopee Scoon, Adrian Scoon, on a way to bypass COVID-19 regulations so as to throw a fete on a boat by declaring it to be a floating restaurant. This Government continues to lie and spin their way through this pandemic while placing the lives and livelihoods of our citizens in increasing jeopardy.”

She went on to point out, “What is truly pitiful is that the Attorney General is steadfastly denying this took place even though there is documentary proof of Adrian Scoon writing to Terrance Deyalsingh saying he has converted his boat (Ocean Pelican) to a restaurant and is acting on advice from the Attorney General. The fact that our COVID-19 infection and death rates continue to skyrocket unchecked, makes this latest act by Al Rawi a sickening betrayal of the public which elected him to act in their best interests.”

Mrs. Persad-Bissessar added, “Unlike hundreds of thousands of Public Servants and the hundreds of thousands who have suffered during the economic lockdowns, Faris Al Rawi won't be worrying over his job after his outrageous behaviour. Keith Rowley will continue to turn a blind eye to all acts of, lies, misbehaviour, corruption, and malfeasance within his Cabinet. Our nation is facing a crisis that is being made worse by a Rowley Government that has no fear in telling bold-faced lies to the public to cover their tracks.”

Her Media Release concluded by saying, “I advise Keith Rowley before he threatens and berates any more workers for failing to support mandatory COVID-19 vaccination, he and his Ministers should subscribe to the idea of ‘mandatory truth-telling’ for themselves.”

The Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) said in a Media Release on Tuesday (7th December 2021) that it has received official requests for recounts in the electoral districts of Buccoo/Mt. Pleasant and Darrel Spring/Whim in Tobago. The requests for recounts have been made by the People's National Movement (PNM) in the electoral district of Buccoo/Mt. Pleasant and by the Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP) for the electoral district of Darrel Spring/Whim.

According to the EBC, the preliminary results show the PDP winning the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Election, having captured fourteen (14) of the fifteen (15) electoral districts contested. The PNM won the Darrel Spring/Whim electoral district.

There was a voter turn-out of 57% as 29,273 votes were cast from an electorate of 51,383.

The breakdown of votes received by the political parties is as follows:

• The Progressive Democratic Patriots - 16,932
• The People's National Movement -11,943
• The Innovative Democratic Alliance - 295
• The Class Action Reform Movement - 0
• The Unity of the People - 6

The EBC notes that the results of these recounts and its impact, if any, on the preliminary results will be shared in a subsequent release.

Forty-five (45) candidates, representing five (5) political parties contested in the THA Election, where for the first time, there were fifteen (15) electoral districts.

You can read Prime Minister Keith Rowley’s statement following his party’s loss in Tobago here.

Prime Minister and Political Leader of the People's National Movement (PNM), Keith Rowley, issued a statement on Tuesday (7th December 2021) following his party’s resounding defeat at the 2021 Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Election yesterday. The Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP) declared victory on Monday night, ending the PNM’s consecutive reign of twenty-one (21) years in Tobago.

In his statement, the Prime Minister said, “Once again, the people of Tobago have gone to the polls, as required, and have taken part in free and fair elections, cementing our position that in this Nation, democracy is very much alive and well taken care of. The results have clearly indicated that the people of Tobago, on this occasion, have opted for change. The People's National Movement, having managed the affairs of Tobago for 21 years, unbroken, must thank the people of Tobago for the many occasions when you would have entrusted us with the responsibility for your care, attention and development.”

Prime Minister Rowley added, “On this occasion when we have been replaced, even in disappointment, we commit to continue to be of service to all the people of Tobago, remain resolute in our support of the further development of the island and the improvement in the quality of life of all Tobagonians. The various campaigns held out various clear positions to the people and the winning party, the Progressive Democratic Patriots, now has a clear mandate to stand by the commitments it held out to the population of Tobago.”

The statement concluded by saying, “The PNM and the Central Government will continue to respect the wishes of the people of Tobago and will do all that is within its capacity and responsibility to ensure that Tobago progresses within the administration of Trinidad and Tobago as required by the existing laws and our common pursuit of national development.”

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar said, “The people of Tobago have spoken. Their voices are clear and not to be ignored.”

In a Media Release on Tuesday, Mrs. Persad-Bissessar offered her congratulations to Tobago for “choosing new leaders to help chart a course towards a future for sustainable opportunities and transformation for all in Tobago.” She added, “In particular, congratulations to Mr. Watson Duke, Mr. Farley Augustine and all members and supporters of the Progressive Democratic Patriots on your resounding victory in the December 2021 THA elections.”

She concluded by saying, “May God richly bless you in all your endeavours as you work together to serve the best interests of the people of Tobago and Trinidad.”

By all accounts, the Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP) has won the 2021 Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Election on Monday (6th December 2021). Political Leader of the PDP, Watson Duke, has unofficially declared a 15 - 0 victory against his opponents.

Duke said on Monday night, "We not taking orders from Trinidad like that. Let Rowley know his place...When we have our first meeting I'll put on the table to open our beaches..."

Meanwhile, Deputy Political Leader of the PDP, Farley Augustine, said during his victory speech that this win is a “solid message” to the Government that Tobago has rejected the Autonomy Bill and want more. He noted during his speech, "Money does not win election but good heart and plenty guts wins election. Tobagonians cannot be bought or sold." He said under the PDP, there will be one Tobago, where every community benefits equally. He promised a new day for Tobago.

Official results are yet to be released by the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC). The People’s National Movement (PNM) has, however, already conceded the THA Election, and congratulated the PDP on its win.

This is a developing story - refresh this page for updates.