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00:02Thanks for staying with us.
00:04After many years of deficit budgets, the UNT government has brought TNT's fiscal account in their balance.
00:11That from Finance Minister Devendra Nathanku last week as he presented the Mid-Year Budget Review,
00:17in which he subsequently requested close to $3 billion to supplement Budget 2025-2026.
00:23Appropriate provisions will be made in the budget of fiscal 2027 to meet all obligations settled between now and budget
00:342027.
00:36A commitment from the Finance Minister in the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review to make good on wage negotiations settled
00:44between now and next year.
00:46So I want to tell nurses, teachers and whoever else that are currently at the bargaining table or are awaiting
00:54finalization, that relief is coming.
00:57Relief is coming. The documentations are being provided now and in fiscal 2027, Mr. Speaker, the relevant appropriations will be
01:06made.
01:07The personnel department is to be supplemented by an extra $2.5 million.
01:12The promise came as the government sought to supplement the national budget by an additional $2,927,371,851
01:27to be financed through a combination of domestic and external borrowing.
01:33Schools are being repaired. Infrastructure is being upgraded. Institutions are being restored.
01:39Public servants are being paid. Obligations are being honored.
01:42We are supplementing because we are delivering, Mr. Speaker.
01:46They don't like to hear it, but promises made, promises kept.
01:53The Finance Minister reports that a number of the government's taxes and fees implemented this fiscal year have borne financial
02:02fruit.
02:03Several of these measures are already delivering results.
02:05These include the commercial bank asset levy, electricity surcharge, and the landlord registration fee and business surcharge,
02:13which together have generated approximately $224 million since implementation in January 2026.
02:22The move comes as the Finance Minister reports prudent fiscal management by the UNC administration over the past year.
02:31Under the PNM, the primary deficit stood at $2.93 billion last year.
02:38Today, it stands at approximately $101 million near balance.
02:45In just one year, Mr. Speaker, this government has reduced the primary deficit by more than $2.8 billion dt,
02:56bringing Trinidad and Tobago to the threshold of primary balance following consecutive years of primary deficits.
03:03All things considered, however, the 2026 budget is expected to carry an overall deficit of roughly $7 billion.
03:12Mr. Speaker, I turn to the projected fiscal performance.
03:16The 2026 budget was predicated on an average oil price of $73.25 per barrel
03:24and natural gas of $4.25 per mmbtu.
03:29Our estimation for oil and gas prices to the end of fiscal 2026 is $85 per barrel
03:37and $4.050 per mmbtu, respectively.
03:40With this and other adjustments, we anticipate an increase in total revenue of $381.7 million
03:50with an overall resultant deficit of $7 billion.
03:55In other news, the HTC cancelled the procurement process for a multi-billion dollar housing project last week,
04:03a decision that faced sharp criticism from former Housing Minister Camille Robinson-Rajuz.
04:08The HTC said the tender process for the project was discontinued in accordance with the Public Procurement and Disposal of
04:15Public Property Act.
04:17The Housing Development Corporation has officially cancelled procurement proceedings for a housing project valued at approximately $3.4 billion.
04:25In a notice issued on Wednesday, the HTC advised participating proponents that the process had been terminated with immediate effect
04:34under Section 33 of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property Act.
04:40According to the HTC,
04:42The HTC has determined that it is in the public interest and in accordance with the Act to discontinue the
04:49procurement proceedings for this project.
04:51The standstill period prescribed under Section 35 has elapsed and no contract has been entered into with any supplier or
04:59contractor.
05:00Consequently, no notice of acceptance shall be issued under Section 35.6 and no procurement contract shall arise from these
05:08proceedings.
05:09The corporation also stated that the reasons for the cancellation had been formally recorded in accordance with the legislation.
05:17But the cancellation has triggered criticism from former Housing Minister Camille Robinson-Rajuz.
05:22In a statement, Robinson-Rajuz said the decision confirms what she suspected, saying,
05:28This confirms long-standing concerns about the integrity, management and direction of this tendering process.
05:35She described the cancellation as both necessary and revealing, saying,
05:40It is unfortunate that this situation has escalated to this point, highlighting governance and oversight failures that should never have
05:48occurred.
05:49The former minister also questioned the current leadership of the housing sector.
05:54She said,
05:54Since assuming office, the Ministry of Housing and the HTC have faced repeated leadership mistakes and administrative confusion,
06:02leaving the sector without clear guidance or accountability like a ship without a captain.
06:07All in all, Robinson-Rajuz welcomed the cancellation, but said it is,
06:13Unacceptable that public resources and stakeholder time were wasted on a procurement process that should never have advanced in its
06:20current form.
06:22She issues these calls, adding,
06:24This calls for the serious scrutiny of governance and oversight responsibilities, including a review of the roles of the chairman,
06:33the ministers overseeing the corporation, and the procurement officer, end quote.
06:38Housing Minister in the Ministry of Housing, Philip Alexander, is seeking to reassure the public that government's housing program remains
06:44on track,
06:45despite the cancellation of procurement proceedings for the multi-billion dollar HTC project.
06:52Responding to concerns raised following the announcement, Alexander said the pause in the procurement exercise does not mean the housing
06:59initiative has been abandoned.
07:01He assures that the first rollout of 3,700 houses that was paused by this release is not cancelled.
07:09Alexander said the government remains committed to expanding home ownership opportunities
07:14and indicated that financing arrangements are already in place to support construction.
07:19The minister also rejected suggestions that the housing program would favor politically connected contractors,
07:26insisting that the process will remain open to qualified developers, saying,
07:31All other developers who qualify and have the capacity to deliver within set timeframes and budgets are welcome to tender,
07:39end quote.
07:39Alexander maintained,
07:41The Prime Minister's promised deliverables remains are intentioned to place as many families in their own homes within this term
07:49remains and that will not be deterred.
07:51He added that future procurement exercises will be conducted with a high level of transparency and public scrutiny, saying,
07:58We will continue to ensure that all processes are above board and transparent beyond even the requirements of any oversight
08:07bodies, end quote.
08:08The minister said additional details, including requests for proposals and invitations to tender, will be made public in the coming
08:15weeks.
08:16The HEDC has not publicly disclosed the specific reasons behind the cancellation.
08:21However, with a project of this scale now halted, questions are likely to continue over what led to the decision
08:29and whether further reviews or investigations will follow.
08:33Urashita Moury, Rupinarine, TV6 News.
08:36Sport is up next. Keep it here.
08:44In sport, TNT's four-day winning captain Joshua De Silva and Bata Amir Jangu
08:50made the West Indy squad for the two-match chess series against Sri Lanka last week.
08:55We had a wrap on the 15-man squad, with the opening match bowling off in Antigua this week.
09:02Roston Chase will lead the 15-man squad, with Jamel Warrikan being the deputy.
09:06The side also sees the return of wicket-keeper batter Joshua De Silva,
09:10who smashed close to 1,000 runs across the last two seasons of the regional 4-day competition.
09:16Also retaining is Amir Jangu, who finished with the second-most runs, including a double century.
09:21It will be his first test squad selection since January 2025.
09:25The full squad is as follows.
09:27Chase and Warrikan, as was mentioned.
09:29John Campbell, Tej Noreen Chandipal, Joshua De Silva,
09:33Justin Graves, Kavim Hodge, She-Hope,
09:36Amir Jangu,
09:37Al-Zar Joseph,
09:38Shemar Joseph,
09:39Brandon King,
09:40Anderson Phillip,
09:41Kimar Roach,
09:42and Jaden Seals.
09:43Windy's coach Darren Sammy is looking forward to a strong display from his side.
09:48He says,
09:49Every test series is an opportunity for us to grow as a team and strengthen our identity.
09:54Sri Lanka are a quality side, so we know we'll have to be at our best, but we're excited about
10:00the challenge ahead.
10:02Both test matches take place at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, with the opener bowling off on June 25th,
10:08and the second game starting on July 3rd.
10:10Vinod Nowani, Tf6 Sport.
10:12And that's a wrap on the past seven days on six.
10:16I am Vanessa Cutting.
10:17If you didn't catch this segment in its entirety, you can find it on our website, www.tv6tnt.com,
10:25and you can find all these stories and more on the TV6 mobile app.
10:30Thanks for choosing TV6, and we do have a great evening.
11:06Good evening, and welcome to the podcast.
11:09I am Vanessa Cutting.
11:11Here's what made the news this past week.
11:14Kaya Sealy landed in Trinidad and was taken straight into police custody.
11:19The top cop got an excellent grade for its first year in office,
11:23and the finance minister requested a $2.9 billion supplement to the 2026 budget.
11:29As per usual, if it was happening, it was on six.
11:33Let's get right into it.
11:35The state intends to rely on 30 witnesses, 42 witness statements,
11:40and a series of forensic reports in its prosecution of Kaya Sealy,
11:45who appeared before a magistrate virtually last week
11:48after being arrested upon her arrival in Trinidad.
11:52Kaya Sealy was arrested by police shortly after arriving at the Piaco International Airport earlier today
11:59after returning to Trinidad and Tobago from Panama, where she had been receiving medical treatment.
12:05She's accused of unlawfully killing Joshua Samaru and shooting at three police officers,
12:12Quincy Simon, Daryl Bartholomew, and Gary Duncan.
12:15She also faces charges of possessing a Glock pistol, possessing two rounds of 9mm ammunition,
12:23possessing a firearm to endanger life, and discharging a firearm within 40 meters of a public road.
12:30Master Ali granted Sealy bail in the sum of $700,000 with one surety.
12:35Sealy's appearance before the court came within hours of her returning to Trinidad from Panama.
12:42She was arrested upon her arrival at the Piaco International Airport and taken to the Arruca Police Station.
12:49State Prosecutor Anthony Jacob told the court that the prosecution would rely on 30 witnesses
12:55and 42 witness statements, along with several exhibits, including certificates of analysts,
13:03toxicology reports, a post-mortem report, and other physical evidence.
13:08Jacob also requested an intimate DNA sample from Sealy,
13:12but she declined to provide one on the advice of her attorneys.
13:17Defense lawyer Larry Williams, who appeared with attorney Fiola Sandy,
13:21questioned the purpose of obtaining the DNA sample.
13:25What is it to be compared against?
13:27William asked.
13:29Jacob replied that investigators have discovered DNA samples from the vehicle involved in the incident.
13:36Williams responded that any DNA recovered would obviously be blood,
13:40and argued that there was no dispute that Sealy had been inside the vehicle.
13:45So why would you need her DNA to compare with blood,
13:49when there is no issue that she was in the car?
13:52Jacobs informed the court that the case file would be sent to the DPP within the next 30 days for
13:59the appointment of state counsel.
14:02The prosecution was ordered to serve its witness statement by August 24,
14:07while defense has until September 25 to respond.
14:11A status hearing has been scheduled for October 8,
14:14with the sufficiency hearing set for October 22.
14:18During the hearing, Williams also applied for bail,
14:21noting that Sealy is the mother of a 5-year-old child and required periodic travel to Boston, USA,
14:27for ongoing medical treatment and rehabilitation following the shooting.
14:33He argued that Sealy posed no flight risk,
14:36saying she had voluntarily returned to Trinidad and Tobago after receiving medical treatment abroad,
14:41and would continue to return whenever required by the court.
14:46Williams said that while in the United States,
14:49she would reside at an address in Massachusetts,
14:52and locally she would live with her mother in Chamflair.
14:56The prosecution did not oppose bail.
14:59Jacobs said that while the state normally requests the surrender of a defendant's passport in such cases,
15:04it would not be making that application.
15:07Instead, the prosecution asked that it be notified whenever Sealy intends to leave the country.
15:13The charges arise from a police operation on January 20th,
15:16when officers pursued a vehicle from Maloney to St. Augustine.
15:20The chase ended after the vehicle crashed into a wall at the corner of College Road and Bassey Streets.
15:26Police opened fire on the vehicle,
15:28killing 31-year-old Samaru and seriously wounding Sealy.
15:33Candy Hill, TV6 News.
15:35Meantime, her friend Alyssa Phillip was arrested as she marched during Labor Day celebrations in Faisabad.
15:42Phillip had been organizing protests against the arrest of Cassie Lee for the killing of Joshua Samu
15:48by police on January 20th.
15:50Phillip, her mother, and blogger Jason De Silva were recently detained
15:53when they headed a protest demonstration outside of the DPP's office in Port of Spain.
15:59On Thursday, she was detained at Faisabad, triggering outrage from some labor leaders.
16:04Natok President Michael Anaset, who witnessed the incident,
16:08voiced his displeasure on the Labor Day platform and called on the Prime Minister to intervene.
16:13We respect authority, but similarly, we expect law and authority to respect the people of Kinala and St. Augustine.
16:26This is what I'm talking about.
16:30You must have mutual respect.
16:33And I put the Honourable Prime Minister on notice.
16:39I put the Minister of Finance on notice.
16:43I put all the other ministers who are here on notice.
16:48And I put the Honourable Prime Minister of Finance that you should immediately indulge in this matter
16:53and let me release some of these young people, please.
17:02Christian also, no, we will only concretize and conclude
17:09that it is the same playbook for different леони.
17:16And when we voted, we voted for trade, and the trade must be substantial, the trade must be material, it
17:26must be worker centres, it must be people centres.
17:45The political leader of the MSJ, David Abdullah, who had also been protesting with Alyssa Phillips, was also incensed by
17:53the action of the police.
17:55They were not doing anything wrong, they were marching, they may have had a banner or a placard, but that's
18:00all part of our freedom of expression, and the banner probably just said, justice for Joshua, justice for Kaya, there's
18:06nothing wrong with that call, whether you agree with it or not is a different question, but people have the
18:11right to express that view.
18:12So, when they were on their way down, apparently there were some roadblocks, and they were stopped, other maxis were
18:20also stopped, but they seemed to have been singled out for different treatment.
18:23The police officers wanted to know the name of each individual in that maxi, and they took out a notification,
18:30to me that is intimidation and harassment.
18:32And then of course, to arrest her, or detain her, whatever it is, is absolutely wrong, there can be no
18:41justification for that.
18:42And what we are seeing really is an encroachment on the civil rights, constitutional rights of the citizens of Trina
18:48and Tobago.
18:49Philip is reported to have fallen ill while in police custody and had to be taken for medical attention.
18:56Meantime, it was high praises for the government from various heads of trade unions at the annual Labor Day March
19:02in Faytabad.
19:04President of the joint trade union movement Ansel Roge said, after unions had been neglected for 10 years, the UNC
19:11government, he says, has done a lot already for the working class,
19:15in what he says is a very short space of time, and calls on workers to be grateful.
19:21We are quite comfortable as being part of the UNC and correlation of interest. It is in the interest of
19:29the people of Selenad and Tobago.
19:32Remember, please, God don't forget, it has been 10 long years of refusal by the PNN to settle the legal
19:41negotiation.
19:43But in just one year, workers have already begun to have negotiations settled.
19:48Not that 4%, not that we think even 4%, without the consolidation of FOLA, but that 10% will be
19:57the consolidation of the other.
19:59Let's be grateful.
20:00On Friday, Roge announced the names of organizations which he says are next in line to receive a 10%
20:07salary increase, who have refused to settle with the PNM's 4% offer.
20:12Among those workers, he said, were TT Post, MTS, PTSC, Lake Asphalt, TNTech, UE, UTT, MP, PowerGen, National Quarries, National
20:24Helicopters, National Training Agency and YTEP employees.
20:28He also revealed that starting next month, former PNN workers and retirees who lost their medical plan benefits when PNN
20:36was closed can expect some relief.
20:39I am announcing that in one month's time, one month's time from today, everybody, we are going to begin the
20:47process of actually restarting the PNN medical plan.
21:04Meantime, social activist Alyssa Phillip and her mother, who are already facing charges arising out of a recent protest in
21:11Port of Spain, are now facing new charges arising out of their Labor Day protest in Fisabad.
21:17The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service says the social activist Alyssa Phillip has been charged with being a leader of
21:24a march and failing to call on participants to disperse after being warned by the police.
21:29Ms. Phillip, who was arrested in Fisabad during Labor Day observances on Friday, has also been charged with disorderly behavior
21:37and resisting arrest.
21:38Another participant in what is being deemed an illegal procession by the TTPS, Camille Carrasquero, has also been charged for
21:46being present at a march and failing to disperse when ordered to do so by the police, obstructing a police
21:51officer and resisting arrest.
21:53The TTPS said on Saturday that the trade union movement applied for and received the requisite permission to stage their
22:00annual Labor Day street procession, which took place on Friday in accordance with Sections 112, 113 and 114 of the
22:09Summary Offences Act.
22:10However, the police service said that a social activist and a small group of followers who were not members of
22:16the trade union movement attempted to join the procession.
22:19The TTPS further said, quote, police officers verified with the trade union organizers that the group was not part of
22:26the authorized procession, spoke directly with the leader of the activist group and explained that they were not covered under
22:33the trade union's permit.
22:35Their participation would constitute a separate public march requiring its own permit under the law.
22:41Their actions could jeopardize the lawful holding of the Labor Day procession, which the TTPS has obligated to safeguard, end
22:48quote.
22:49The TTPS added, quote, despite this clear explanation, the group proceeded to form and participate in an unauthorized procession at
22:56the rear of the lawful march, end quote.
22:59TV6 News spoke via telephone with Michael Anneset, one of the trade union leaders involved in the Labor Day procession.
23:05I want to point out that the handful of people from Hugu was participating with our group, which is the
23:16Semen and Waterfront Workers Trade Union.
23:18That is all that I am prepared to say.
23:21And then it was done peacefully.
23:24They were welcomed by the Semen and Waterfront Workers Trade Union, which is part of the procession.
23:31And I want to remind the general public that I am the general secretary of the National Trade Union Center,
23:38who was part of the organizing committee for Labor Day 2026.
23:45Mr. Anneset added to his initial response to the statement by the police service.
24:01The TTPS said the activist group in question did not give notice of a meeting, nor did they apply for
24:07or receive a permit for a march and added their actions therefore fell squarely within the statutory definition of an
24:14unlawful public march.
24:16The TTPS said Police Commissioner Alistair Govaro, alongside Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander, senior officers and second division officers
24:25of the TTPS attended the Labor Day celebrations in Fisabad and thanked those who cooperated with the police.
24:32I would like to thank the members of the trade union movement and the citizens of Toronto who cooperated seamlessly
24:38with the clan.
24:40The OWTU announced on Saturday that the trade union movement will be hosting a press conference on Sunday to reflect
24:47on what happened on Labor Day.
24:49Jewel Brown, TV6 News.
24:52We'll have more news when we return. Keep it here.
25:01And welcome back.
25:03Excellent. That was the grade the Homeland Security Minister gave to Police Commissioner Alistair Govaro as the top cop completed
25:10his one-year probation last week.
25:13However, some members of the public were not feeling as inspired.
25:16The reviews are coming in for Police Commissioner Alistair Govaro, who marked one year in office on June 17th.
25:25Excellent. Extremely excellent.
25:28You should be given an additional grade for the efforts. You know why?
25:31Because people, a lot of you are ex-persons talking about trust and confidence, but that's the same officer that
25:39took his initiative the other day when there was an issue with transportation.
25:44And people are jumping in the police vehicle and having good conversation. That speaks to leadership.
25:48The Homeland Security Minister made no reference to the issue of crime and criminality or the top cop's management of
25:55the police service.
25:56Meantime, the TNT Police Service Social and Welfare Association is throwing its support behind the top cop.
26:04But he has demonstrated that he has the police officer's best interest at heart.
26:11He has demonstrated that he has the public's best interest at heart.
26:15He has demonstrated that he is willing to stand for the right thing, even if it means becoming unpopular.
26:21And that in itself is a very, very important trait for our Commissioner of Police.
26:27We wish him all the best going forward.
26:30He has the support of the men and women within the organization.
26:35And we trust that he will be able to bring the type of change that is so rightfully needed within
26:42the organization.
26:43However, some members of the public are not as inspired.
26:46I don't really have any feelings for him, to be quite honest.
26:51Sometimes, I get the impression that he is just a little showboat and collecting a nice fad salary.
26:58And that's about it for the time being.
27:01You don't feel that he is doing a good job, an okay job, a bad job?
27:05He is doing whatever he is told to say.
27:09Wanted songs good and he figured that they will get a little extra attention.
27:13Well, that's about it.
27:15But maybe it's time to get somebody else and give them a little chance.
27:20Ravaro's year in office marks the end of his 12-month probation period.
27:24It is now left up to the Police Service Commission to make the final determination on his tenure.
27:30However, at least one member of the public believes the people should have a say.
27:35So, I will assume that saying that you're not ready, you will start doing consultations with the people within at
27:42least the first year to hear what are the issues that you never addressed because you didn't hold the position
27:47before.
27:47Right?
27:48So, stakeholder management is important when it comes to governance and the people have not been approached to find out
27:57what are the problems that they need to be solved from the police law enforcement part as well as the
28:03legislative and the judicial system.
28:06Right?
28:07So, when we're talking about the performance of the Commissioner of Police, it's not in a vacuum.
28:12TV6 News reached out to the Commissioner asking whether he has been officially confirmed in the position as well as
28:20for what he sees as his achievements in his first year in office.
28:24However, up to news time, we had not received a response.
28:29This is The Past, 7 Days on 6. We'll be right back.
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