Waste management, resources for farmers, and job creation were among the issues raised by residents in the Barataria/San Juan constituency who offered their suggestions, recommendations, opinions, and advice on the 2026 Budget Presentation to their Member of Parliament, Saddam Hosein.
Tuesday’s consultation attracted scores of residents who were eager to give their views on what the next budget should address.
One constituency member asked that the next budget address a very urgent matter to him and others.
“What is there in the next budget for monies that is owed to contractors and subcontractors for the last 10 years or the last 15 years? Some of us are still owed money for 2010, 2015 and the government has shut down one of the companies, EFCL, that owes people, who have sent people into the poor house. They have lost their houses. They have lost their business.”
MP Hosein said his staff would record the suggestions and recommendations to share with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo.
“As Minister, we are going to ensure that it becomes easier in order for farmers to get their farmer’s badge because land tenure in this country has been a burning, burning issue. And we will ensure we fix this issue with respect to land tenure going forward.”
MP Hosein said the government will continue to consult with the residents.
“In one week’s time, that’s next Tuesday, we will be having a consultation on the law for the Stand Your Ground law. We will invite you all to that. We will send out the notices. We want to hear from you. The law has already been drafted, but as a government that listens, we want to hear from the people.”