New districts, including several proposed boroughs created under the Government’s Municipal Corporations (Amendment) Bill, 2026, have been incorporated into the Special Operations (SO) Act through a late amendment moved in Parliament last night.
The Government added a clause to the Municipal Corporations (Amendment) Bill, 2026, to revise the description of districts under the Special Operations Act, aligning them with changes proposed in the local government legislation.
The SO Act, which came into force on Wednesday following presidential assent, replaces the failed Zones of Special Operations (ZOSO) legislation that was defeated earlier this year.
Attorney General John Jeremie introduced the amendment during the Committee Stage of debate on the Municipal Corporations (Amendment) Bill last night. The legislation seeks to restructure local government in several areas, including the creation of new boroughs, the renaming of municipalities and adjustments to boundaries.
Jeremie said the amendment was necessary because the bill alters the boundaries of several municipal corporations, renames three corporations and creates four boroughs.
“So, the description of the districts under the Special Operations Act, which came into force yesterday, should be changed to align with the proposals in this bill,” Jeremie said.
“The four districts in the Special Operations Act are being deleted and substituted to accurately reflect and be in sync with the provisions of the bill.”
Opposition MP Stuart Young questioned the timing of the amendment.
“After the full course of the debate has closed, having received this bill less than 48 hours before the start of the debate, now at the committee stage, without any indication whatsoever by any speaker on the Government side during almost 12 hours of debate, the first time not only we, but the country, is hearing that the Government intends to insert into this bill a schedule to deal with the Special Operations Act,” Young said.
He asked whether the amendment would establish four districts and assign municipal corporations to each.
Jeremie replied: “Yes. We are amending this schedule to insert provisions required by the passage of the act and the enactment of the Special Operations legislation on Wednesday. So yes, the answer to the question is yes.”
The four districts are:
District 1: Port-of-Spain, Diego Martin Borough and the Regional Municipality of San Juan/Laventille.
District 2: Arima Borough, St Augustine Borough and the Regional Municipality of Tunapuna.
District 3: Sangre Grande Borough and the Regional Municipality of Mayaro/Rio Claro.
District 4: City of Chaguanas, Couva Borough and the Regional Municipality of Tabaquite/Talparo.
The clause was approved by the Government’s 27 votes, with 12 Opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) MPs voting against it.
As the vote was being taken, Opposition MPs shouted, “No to ZOSO.”
House Speaker Jagdeo Singh instructed members to vote only “Yes” or “No.”
When Opposition MP Hans Des Vignes again said, “No ZOSO,” Singh ordered him to “take a walk for the rest of the session.”
The Municipal Corporations (Amendment) Bill was eventually passed with 27 Government votes. The 11 Opposition PNM MPs present voted against the legislation.
Speaking afterwards, Opposition Whip Marvin Gonzales criticised the amendment.
“The Government moved an amendment at the Committee Stage of the Municipal Bill to establish zones under the Special Operations Act,” Gonzales said.
“No speaker on the Government side made any reference to this amendment during their contribution, including the Prime Minister. By stealth, they moved the amendment during the Committee Stage.
“They are dangerous and deceitful and do not respect Parliament. They hate accountability and scrutiny. They are deceitful and diabolical.”
The House adjourned until Monday at 1.30 pm, when the 2027 Budget will be presented.
