PNM spending under scrutiny, says Ameen

2026-01-26 - 00:02

Carisa Lee Reporter carisa.lee@cnc3.co.tt Minister of Rural Development and Local Government Khadijah Ameen is standing firm on Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s assertion that the $2.1 billion allocation to regional corporations is more than sufficient, revealing that multiple police investigations into mismanagement are ongoing. “You will hear more about that. While we cut out the criminals, the middlemen, and all the PNM friends and financiers, we are using the money to provide meaningful employment and better wages,” Ameen said. “I want you to hear it straight from the rubbish collection: funding will be fair and transparent under this government.” Speaking at a media conference at United National Congress (UNC) headquarters in Chaguanas yesterday, Ameen said the People’s National Movement (PNM) corporations are not being shortchanged and stressed that all regional corporations must use their funds more productively. She noted that PNM corporations received $987.29 million this fiscal year, $181 million more than the $805.46 million allocated to UNC-run corporations. “This is not a funding crisis; it is a political lie,” Ameen said. “For some time, regional corporations have spent money on fetes and limes rather than delivering real services. They squandered taxpayers’ dollars on entertainment instead of sanitation and infrastructure.” Ameen added that she meets with all corporations regularly to reinforce the need to focus on core services and maintain clean, safe communities. She also alleged that contractors in PNM corporations failed to pay garbage collectors even though full allocations were received, leaving taxpayers to cover the cost of inefficiency. “If I were to speak about the ills and corruption—the ghost gangs that became normal, inflated contracts to friends and family, political interference, contracts for former PNM candidates and associates, and billions spent with little to show—it would be extensive,” she said. The minister acknowledged that most PNM chairmen and mayors are cooperative, describing only a few as “noise makers.” In response, Diego Martin Borough Mayor Akeliah Glasgow-Warner criticised the government’s remarks, saying communities do not “wear party jerseys.” She labelled the Prime Minister’s statement as “deeply disrespectful, unjust, and dangerous,” arguing it deliberately divides local government along political lines and publicly vilifies workers. “Public funds are not PNM money or UNC money—they are taxpayers’ money, contributed by citizens of every political persuasion,” Glasgow-Warner said. The mayor added that framing regional corporations as “PNM” or “UNC” entities weaponises governance and unfairly targets councillors, employees, and communities based on political affiliation. She also called allegations of “ghost projects” institutionally insulting, noting that all projects undergo standard procurement and approval processes. Glasgow-Warner posted photos on social media showing the garbage collection budget analysis and draft fiscal allocations. The draft report indicates that PNM areas such as Arima saw a reduction of over $12 million, Diego Martin decreased by over $6 million, Port-of-Spain’s allocation fell by 37 per cent, and Point Fortin’s decreased by 12 per cent. Political analyst Dr Shane Mohammed said that while some regional corporations may have experienced decreases, funding must be understood in the context of geographical size and electoral districts. “Local government is about the area,” he said, noting that many UNC-controlled corporations have seven to nine members, increasing their responsibilities. Mohammed described the Prime Minister’s statement as a strong message on accountability rather than an attack. He said corporations must stop relying solely on central government funding and become more innovative and entrepreneurial, embracing strategic planning, public-private partnerships, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) frameworks. Political analyst Dr Bishnu Ragoonath said the statement is a call for accountability, not punishment. “Kamla 2.0 seems different from Kamla 1.0. That’s her approach, and everyone has to work with it,” he said. He added that regional corporations were already informed of their allocations and expected to budget accordingly; if funds run out due to waste or mismanagement, they should not expect additional subventions. Ragoonath noted that while allocations may appear to have been reduced across the board, a closer look at the figures is required to determine whether the cuts were equitable.