00:00A former United National Congress activist Ravi Balgabin Maharaj is urging the government to come clean on what he describes as a developing partnership with the United States Coast Guard.
00:12Balgabin Maharaj points to documentation published on the official United States government procurement website sam.gov which suggests that the U.S. Coast Guard is acting on behalf of the government of Trinidad and Tobago in the proposed acquisition of an airboat.
00:31On November 4th, the United States Coast Guard was commissioned on behalf of the government of Trinidad and Tobago to put out an RFI which is a request for information from their vendors for an airboat which they are going to purchase on our behalf.
00:49He says the request for information issued on November 4th clearly states that the U.S. Coast Guard was commissioned to seek suppliers on behalf of the government of TNT.
01:01According to the document, the airboat is intended for use in flood relief and emergency response, something Balgabin Maharaj admits could be beneficial.
01:11What we are going to use it for, or at least what's stated in the RFI, is that it's mostly for relief in terms of floods and that sort of thing.
01:24And it actually goes back to 2014 when there were the large floods in Mayaro.
01:31The Ministry of Local Government back then had said publicly that, you know, we needed one of these vessels.
01:37But he argues that against the backdrop of what he describes as secrecy surrounding Trinidad and Tobago's alignment with the United States and ongoing public unease over the Tobago radar installation, the government owes the population greater transparency.
01:55Because the government has had so much scandal and so much situations regarding their lack of communication of what they're doing, not telling the public, not consulting with anyone.
02:10You know, it's something that I think is very important that people should know, especially when it comes to monies being spent from the public purse and regarding military intervention by the U.S.
02:23The request for information further states that the procurement would be conducted through the Foreign Military Sales Programme and would include not only the airboat, but a trailer, spare parts, in-country reactivation services and training for up to 20 personnel.
02:41Balgabin Maharaj stresses that this is not a gift from the United States, but a purchase funded by Trinidad and Tobago taxpayers.
02:50There are things, I think, that we need from the U.S.
02:54I think in terms of patrol vessels, I think in terms of coast guard capabilities, you know, these are things you would think would be a priority.
03:03But the first thing that we're actually purchasing from the U.S. in terms of military investment, for it to be a rescue vehicle, I think people may not see it as a priority right now.
03:16On another note, he clarified that he is no longer affiliated with the UNC, describing himself instead as an independent voice focused on holding whichever party is in government to account.
03:30I'm someone who has always held the government accountable and that's what I'll continue to do.
03:34Whether it's UNC, whether it's PNM or whoever, I think there's a need for that sort of representation.
03:39The UNC did an incredible job while they were in opposition, holding the PNM government to account.
03:45And now there's also that need going forward with them being in government and again with their direction having shifted.
03:51We contacted two government ministers, including Minister of Defence Wayne Sturge, who said the government is not purchasing an airboat.
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