Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar SC has announced that she will be seeking re-election as political leader when the party’s internal elections are held in the near future.
The Prime Minister made the announcement in Penal, at the first United National Congress Monday Night Report held since the election of the party to government.
“The NatEx of our great party will soon meet to decide on the date for the internal election of its political leader. I give you notice tonight, I intend to contest again for the position of political leader. Thank you all very much. I hope you will give me the honour of leading you into this term in government.”
At the Monday Night Report, Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar addressed a number of issues, including concerns at the Board of Inland Revenue (BIR), which she said is 64% understaffed and operating with archaic software.
As a result, she said her government will be focused on modernising the BIR and filling key positions.
“Digitally powered, service-oriented, and accountable institution which enhances voluntary tax compliance, strengthens revenue collection, supporting the socio-economic development of Trinidad and Tobago. Let me tell you something, you know, when we got into office, if you listen to each of our Ministers, MPs who have gone out into the country, every single thing is worse, in shambles. They only have 36% of their staff. There are 1,050 positions in the BIR. Do you know how many are filled? Do you know how many? 375 are filled. So there are 675 vacant positions in the BIR. This means the BIR is 64% understaffed and people out there begging for jobs, you know. Qualified people want jobs.”
And the Prime Minister went on to say her government is seriously dealing with young alcohol drinkers by increasing the legal age for alcohol consumption. She addressed the worrying issue of addiction among youth as she announced that legislation will be brought to Parliament to raise the age for the consumption of alcohol and marijuana, as well as for gambling.
“Gambling, marijuana, alcohol legislation will also be brought to Parliament. We intend to raise the legal age for gambling and marijuana use to the age 25 and older. And the legal age for alcohol will be raised to 21 years and older.”