Minister Robinson-Regis Addresses Stakeholders as Government Moves to Fully Implement Miscellaneous Provisions (Local Govt Reform) Act, 2022

The Honourable Camille Robinson-Regis, Minister of Housing and Urban Development today delivered the keynote address to stakeholders on behalf of Dr. the Honourable Keith Rowley, Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

Minister Robinson-Regis told participants at this morning’s meeting that local government is best able to understand and react to the needs of the people, as it seeks to deliver services that are critical for national development.

The Minister also told delegates that, “the Miscellaneous Provisions (Local Government Reform) Act 2022 is the crowning achievement after a very long and gradual process of transforming local government bodies and entrusting them with greater responsibility and decision-making power to create a more efficient, effective, and purpose-driven system that benefits all citizens of Trinidad and

Tobago”.  In outlining the benefits of the new legislation, Minister Robinson-Regis said that what this Act offers, “is a ray of hope for all local government representatives. It means that the taxes collected in the various municipalities will remain there to be apportioned to work and projects that are deemed necessary for the benefit of the respective communities.  Minister Robinson-Regis commended the Mayors, Chairmen, Councillors and Aldermen on their unswerving dedication to the citizens of Trinidad.

The Minister concluded her remarks by saying that the benefits of this legislation far outweighs the opposition’s protestations against insufficient consultation, lack of preparedness, or the host of red herrings now being unearthed against a process that is far older than the 60 years of Independence we will celebrate shortly as a Nation.

(The full text of Minister Robinson-Regis’ speech is attached for ease of reference).

Also present at the meeting were Local Government Representatives, the Honourable Faris Al Rawi, Minister of Rural Development and Local Govt, the Honourable Reginald Amour, Attorney General, the Honourable Allyson West,

Minister of Public Administration and the Honourable Kazim Hosein, Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries.