The Ministry of Works and Transport said its Traffic Management Branch (TMB) has launched an “innovative suite of technology aimed at transforming traffic control and management across the country.”
In a Media Release on Tuesday (19th March, 2024), the Ministry said this initiative marks a “significant leap forward in our mission to enhance public safety, streamline traffic flow, and optimize transportation operations.” The Ministry notes the installation of the new video detection system will provide a multitude of benefits, including:
Senator the Honourable Rohan Sinanan, Minister of Works and Transport, at a recent demonstration of the new system, commented that “we are committed to embracing innovative solutions that enhance the quality of life for all citizens. This video detection system represents a major step forward in our efforts to create safer, more efficient transportation networks. I believe that this system will not only improve the functionality of our traffic management infrastructure but also pave the way for smarter, more responsive transportation systems.”
The Ministry has installed this system at several major intersections across the country at the following locations:
Through the work of the Traffic Management Branch (TMB), the Ministry said it “remains committed to leveraging technology for the benefit of all citizens.” Other notable projects under the TMB include:
Please be guided accordingly.
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“No one is safe, anywhere, anytime while conducting any activity as bandits are roaming our streets looking for easy prey. As the Member of Parliament for Pointe a Pierre, I am outraged that crime continues to spiral out of control to the point it has caused anguish and trauma to a Claxton Bay family within my constituency, right after they conducted a Puja.” This from Chairman of the United National Congress (UNC), David Lee, who is also the MP for Pointe a Pierre.
In a Media Release today (Wednesday 20th March, 2024), MP Lee said, “We have truly lost our way as a nation, our way of life has truly been eroded by rampant criminality when a family can fall victim to a heinous attack right after something as sacred as prayer. Criminals are being empowered by the consistent failure by those in authority to implement modern, innovative, all-encompassing, holistic and globally tested crime fighting initiatives.” The MP continued, “Hard working citizens are being brutalized, demoralized and victimized because the Government continues to blame everyone else while failing to take responsibility. One day they blame the Police Service. Another day they blame the citizens. As a matter of fact, it is totally ridiculous that this week the Prime Minister chastised citizens for turning a blind eye to crime. Citizens are not turning a blind eye, citizens are simply petrified, horrified and without hope due to the absence of support from the Government.” He added, “This crisis is not as a result of failure by the Police. This catastrophe is not as a result of citizens’ shortcomings. It has been manufactured after eight (8) years of incompetent, non-reactive and a vision-less approach to national security by this Government. It is on this premise, as the Member of Parliament for Pointe a Pierre, that I continue to support the Leader of the Opposition’s call for Stand Your Ground legislation so citizens can protect their homes and families.” The Media Release concluded by saying, “Today, I issue a firm call to the Minister of Finance, who came to Parliament to gain permission to borrow 10 billion dollars more — use that money to protect citizens. Use that money to improve the national security apparatus. We in Pointe a Pierre need more Police vehicles to ensure more Police patrols. We in Pointe a Pierre need more funding and support for a Police Post.” [Source: UNC] Minister of Works and Transport, Rohan Sinanan, has announced that the Licensing Office will soon be expanding its technical services to benefit customers and citizens, including being able to pay for services online. Speaking with reporters over the weekend at the site where new traffic cameras were installed at the Piarco intersection, Minister Sinanan said the move is in keeping with the Government’s digital transformation thrust. “Right now, most transactions can be done online and within the next couple of months, all of your payments can be done online. You’ll be staying home and you will be getting your Driver’s Permit renewal delivered to you if you want that,” he said. As he further made reference to the new camera system, the Minister said not only is it intended to assist with traffic flow, but it would also assist with security issues. “It would also help us in terms of security because if something happens at the intersection, we can monitor real time. We can have information at the Traffic Centre where all the traffic lights would be monitored and synchronized and operating from one Centre in the very near future,” he added. Prime Minister Keith Rowley issued a statement last night (Saturday 16th March, 2024) following a bloody day in which at least eight (8) murders were recorded in the country — including five (5) in Port-of-Spain and another in Chaguanas.
According to the Prime Minister, “Today’s [Saturday] latest outrage, where five (5) persons lost their lives at one location in Belmont and three (3) others were killed elsewhere, brings home the depth of the problem that the Government is grappling with. This ever increasing total wanton disregard for human life is to be condemned in the soundest of ways. My condolences go out to the families who are today experiencing the pain that traumatizes the entire national community.” He added, “The presence of and frequent use of assault weapons in our country has brought an added dimension of effectiveness to the murderous lawlessness which continues to plague us. I want to give the nation the assurance that even as we experience today’s tragedy, the State through its lawful activities will continue to identify and extract these weapons and their criminal owners and operators. The population can rest assured that the State agencies will not give up the fight to rid our streets and other places of the evil that is now widespread as a ‘gun culture’ in Trinidad and Tobago.” More on this as it becomes available. Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Camille Robinson-Regis, has condemned the brazen shooting and subsequent murders at the Harpe Place Development in Port-of-Spain earlier today (Saturday 16th March, 2024).
In a Media Release following the murders, the Trinidad and Tobago Housing Development Corporation (HDC) said it understands that three (3) people were murdered at the Development, while two (2) others succumbed to their injuries at the Hospital. Mrs. Robinson-Regis says the HDC strives to provide affordable living, and safe, communal living spaces for all of its residents. “As such, she strongly rebuked such acts of violence in the Capital City. She said the HDC encourages all residents to live in peace, and endeavours to create a place of comfort for all. She said no resident should feel unsafe or held ransomed in their own homes,” the Media Release said. Minister Robinson-Regis reiterated that such attacks will not be condoned or tolerated. The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) is actively searching for the suspects and will continue investigating this matter. The HDC said it “stands ready to assist the TTPS to ensure those guilty of this crime are brought to justice.” Meanwhile, Chairman of the HDC, Noel Garcia, chastised the act and called for peace within the City f Port-of-Spain and, by extension, the country. Managing Director of the HDC, Jayselle McFarlane, shared similar sentiments and reflected on the long-term trauma effects this can have on those who witnessed the assault. The Media Release concluded by saying, “The HDC extends condolences to the families who lost loved ones and wishes a speedy recovery to those who were injured during the attack.”
Minister of Finance, Colm Imbert, officially announced Government's intention to reduce the property tax rate from 3% to 2% in Parliament this afternoon (Friday 15th March, 2024). A total of 801 payments were made for property taxes up to 13th March, 2024, amounting to just over TT $1 million.
Minister Imbert said he has given instructions to the Board of Inland Revenue (BIR) to calculate the received payments at the new 2% rate, and issue refunds to the 801 taxpayers as soon as possible. He said the decision comes after “teething issues” experienced in the roll-out, describing the new property tax law as “novel” compared to the old land and building tax. He said notices which were posted at offices on Thursday (14th March, 2024), indicating the suspension of payments for property tax were not authorized by the Ministry of Finance and were done with “good intentions” by employees. However, he said this was regrettable, and hopes employees would wait for authorization before issuing such notices in the future.
According to the Minister in Parliament this afternoon, “With regard to the notices that were posted on the doors of some Regional Revenue Collection Offices yesterday, stating that property tax payments had been suspended until further notice, these notices were not authorized and should not have been put up, especially in view of the fact that the Property Tax Amendment Act 2024 is not yet law.”
He continued, “My investigations have revealed that some of the staff in the BIR, after becoming aware of the provisions in the Amendment Bill, took it upon themselves to do this, with apparent good intentions, but without authorization, and without my knowledge or consent. However, this is not the way that a Cabinet decision should be communicated to the public, especially on a matter as sensitive as this. I am disappointed that this procedural lapse occurred, and it is my hope and expectation that the public servants involved will learn from this mistake.”
Minister Imbert added, “On behalf of the Government, I wish to express my deep regret to all those who were inconvenienced. Now that the Bill is before the Parliament, I have requested the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance to request the BIR to cease the collection of property tax until the new rate of residential property tax is in effect. Additionally, I have been advised by the BIR that up to Wednesday March 15, 2024, a total of 801 payments of property tax had been made for a total of $1,030,864.55 (an average of $1,297 in annual property tax). All of these taxpayers will be issued with new tax notices at the new rate of 2% and refunded, and I have asked the BIR to do so promptly.”
Read the Minister’s full 9-page statement this afternoon in Parliament:
More on this as it becomes available.
This is a developing story - refresh this page for updates. [Source: TTT Live Online]
The United National Congress (UNC) is calling on the Ministry of Finance to clarify reports about notices being circulated regarding the suspension of property tax payments.
In a statement issued on Thursday (14th March, 2024), UNC Public Relations Officer, Dr. Kirk Meighoo, said the reports claim these notices were circulating online and were posted at Government offices. “We await further clarification and details from the Ministry of Finance.”
Meighoo reiterated the UNC's opposition to property tax and called for Government not to implement it. “The UNC remains committed to fighting against the imposition of this unfair property tax.”
In a statement on 18th November, 2023, Minister of Finance, Colm Imbert, said, “For the record, the Property Tax Act makes it clear that property tax is only 3% of the ARV [Annual Rental Value] for residential properties, after first deducting 10% from the ARV. It is not the same amount as the rental value.” He added, “For example, a property which has been assessed to have an Annual Rental Value of $36,000 will attract property tax of $972 per year or $81 per month.” There has been no official announcement from the Ministry of Finance stating that property tax has been put on hold, up to 11:00 AM on Friday morning (15th March, 2024). More on this as it becomes available. This is a developing story - refresh this page for updates. [Source: Newsday]
The Trinidad and Tobago Postal Workers' Union (TTPWU) has confirmed that a number of TTPOST offices across the country are closed today (Wednesday 13th March, 2024), as a result of protest action by workers.
Roughly 200 TTPOST workers are said to have descended on the office of the Chief Personnel Officer (CPO), Dr. Daryl Dindial, on Alexandria Street, Port-of-Spain. The workers are calling for their wages to be reviewed and adjusted accordingly.
According to reports, a job evaluation for forty-six (46) positions within TTPOST was completed back in 2011 and included recommendations for an 18.6% increase in salaries for hundreds of workers. However, there have reportedly been no adjustments since, and with the recent proposal coming from the Salaries Review Commission (SRC) for increases of over 30% for Government and Opposition Officials, the workers are said to be feeling dismayed.
The Union previously said they wrote to the CPO about their issues some two (2) years ago, however, they claimed they received no acknowledgment or response from him to date. Another letter was recently hand-delivered by the Union to Dr. Dindial, giving him one week to implement the final report of the job evaluation. More on this as it becomes available. This is a developing story - refresh this page for updates. The Ministry of National Security is informing the public that the second tranche of approved Minister's Permits for 2024, granted to Venezuelan nationals in Trinidad and Tobago who registered under the Migrant Registration Framework, will be ready for collection with effect from Monday (11th March, 2024).
A list of approved Minister's Permits numbers is posted on the Ministry's website: https://nationalsecurity.gov.tt/services/workpermit-exemptionextension, and social media pages. The Ministry notes that issuing of the approved Minister's Permits will be conducted from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Enforcement Unit, 135 Henry Street, Port-of-Spain. Persons will be required to present their previously-issued Registration Card to be updated, and Identification (Passport or Cedula). Registrants will be advised on the Ministry's website when further approvals are granted and collection periods are identified. Please be guided accordingly.
The Government of Trinidad and Tobago is set to save millions of dollars in rental payments on completion of the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services (MSDFS) Headquarters.
Prime Minister Keith Rowley officially turned the sod earlier today (Monday 11th March, 2024) for the construction of the new building, which will be situated at the corner of Tragarete Road and Victoria Avenue, Port-of-Spain. The Ministry of Social Development and Family Services is mandated with responsibility for addressing the social challenges of poverty, social inequality, and social exclusion. The 10-story building is proposed to house over twenty (20) of the Ministry’s departments and accommodate 200 parking spaces. In delivering the feature address, Prime Minister Rowley said as the Government continues to develop the country’s infrastructure, there is an opportunity for thousands of jobs to be created. He said the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development is working closely with UDeCOTT, the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) and the Cabinet to develop urban spaces across the country, especially in the capital city — Port-of-Spain.
Minister of Social Development and Family Services, Senator the Hon. Donna Cox, noted in her remarks, “The consolidation of our new Ministry’s Headquarters in a single location will not only save approximately $14.7 million annually in rental costs, but also streamline operations, leading to improved efficiency in service delivery.”
Minister of Housing and Urban Development, the Hon. Camille Robinson-Regis, Minister of Energy and Energy Industries and Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister and Member of Parliament for Port-of-Spain North/St. Ann’s West, the Hon. Stuart Young and His Worship, the Mayor of Port-of-Spain, Alderman Chinua Alleyne, also attended today’s sod-turning ceremony. |
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