Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has realigned ministerial portfolios, moving responsibility for a wide range of Government programmes, state enterprises and other functions among members of Cabinet.
The changes, which took effect on September 30, place several significant responsibilities with ministers who did not previously have them, while removing other duties from their colleagues. The changes are set out in the Trinidad and Tobago Gazette No. 166, published on Friday.
A major part of the realignment centres on housing and state enterprises.
Land and Legal Affairs Minister Saddam Hosein has been assigned responsibility for the Government Aided Self-Help Housing Programme (GASHHP), the Housing and Village Improvement Programme (HVIP) and Hydrographic Surveys. His expanded responsibilities also include Caroni (1975) Limited, Golden Grove Buccoo Limited, Palo Seco Agricultural Enterprises Limited (PSAEL), Rincon Development Limited, Sugar Manufacturing Company Limited, the Sugar Industry Labour Welfare Committee, Taurus Services Limited and TRINTOC Services Limited.
Housing Minister David Lee will now handle matters relating to the Home Improvement Policy and the Oropune Project, while Social Development and Family Services Minister Vandana Mohit takes responsibility for the National Commission for Self-Help Limited.
The realignment also moves several responsibilities in the areas of national security and disaster management. Defence Minister Wayne Sturge has been given responsibility for National Emergency/Disaster Management, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management, the National Emblems Committee and the National Mentorship Programme.
Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander has been assigned responsibility for the management of illegal immigrants and deportees.
In the economic and agricultural portfolios, Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo takes responsibility for the Agricultural Development Bank of Trinidad and Tobago, while Rural Development and Local Government Minister Khadijah Ameen takes responsibility for Insect Vector.
Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath has also been given responsibility for On-the-Job Training.
The changes also see several ministers giving up responsibilities they previously held. Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Ravi Ratiram loses responsibility for Hydrographic Surveys, PSAEL, the Agricultural Development Bank and Rincon Development Limited.
Energy and Energy Industries Minister Roodal Moonilal is no longer responsible for TRINTOC Services Limited, while Tancoo loses responsibility for Caroni (1975) Limited, Sugar Manufacturing Company Limited and Taurus Services Limited.
Lee is no longer responsible for the Sugar Industry Labour Welfare Committee, while Sturge relinquishes responsibility for the management of illegal immigrants and deportees.
Alexander gives up responsibility for disaster management, ODPM, the National Emblems Committee and the National Mentorship Programme. Health Minister Dr Lackram Boodoe loses responsibility for Insect Vector, while Tertiary Education and Skills Training Minister Prakash Persad is no longer responsible for On-the-Job Training.
The Gazette also confirms that the Prime Minister is no longer responsible for the Home Improvement Policy, HVIP, GASHHP, Golden Grove Buccoo Limited, the National Commission for Self-Help Limited and the Oropune Project.
The changes represent a broad realignment of responsibilities across Cabinet, with significant movement in housing, state enterprises, disaster management, national security, agriculture and social development.
