UNC in walkout at TPRC meeting amid political tensions

2026-03-27 - 03:03

Senior Reporter jesse.ramdeo@cnc3.co.tt United National Congress (UNC) councillors staged an “unprecedented” walkout from a statutory meeting of the Tunapuna Piarco Regional Corporation (TPRC) yesterday, citing what they described as persistent disrespect directed at the party and its political leader. The incident unfolded just 25 minutes after proceedings began around 2 pm, forcing an immediate pause as the council scrambled to re-establish a quorum. Guardian Media understands the five UNC councillors and two aldermen walked out after becoming frustrated with what they described as repeated attempts by People’s National Movement (PNM) representatives to blame them for the country’s problems. Guardian Media was told they were verbally “attacked” about the country’s employment rate. They said they believed this was hypocritical coming from a party that closed down Petrotrin, leaving hundreds on the breadline. The councillors contended that PNM members continue to blame them for issues that fall under the remit of central government, not local authorities. Guardian Media understands that under the previous PNM administration, UNC representatives recognised a clear distinction between the responsibilities of local and central government. However, when the UNC members exited the chamber and attempted to leave the corporation’s head office, they found their vehicles blocked in. After waiting unsuccessfully for the drivers to move, they were forced to interrupt the ongoing sitting to request permission to leave. During the interruption, TPRC chairman Josiah Austin cautioned the members and summoned municipal police, warning that they were disrupting proceedings. Afterwards, Austin described the walkout as “unfortunate,” pointing to deeper, simmering tensions within local government. He said the walkout did not occur in isolation, but was the culmination of long-standing frustrations, both within the corporation and across the wider national landscape. “This has been brewing for quite some time,” Austin said, referencing heated exchanges during opening statements, including concerns raised by the UNC minority leader over issues such as the Eddie Hart Savannah redevelopment and broader governance decisions. Austin suggested that discussions quickly expanded beyond specific projects, touching on national issues, including the ongoing State of Emergency and what he described as growing dissatisfaction among members of the public and councillors alike. He said several residents attended the meeting to voice their concerns, something he believes may have intensified tensions inside the chamber. “The people feel slighted. Several members of the public came today to express themselves, and I think that opened up the door for what came after,” he said. The chairman also raised concerns about what he perceived as coordinated political manoeuvring by opposition councillors. “Sometimes you feel like these councillors come with an agenda set from their advisors, their ministers,” Austin stated, adding the exchanges that followed reflected wider dissatisfaction among council members. Despite the disruption, Austin confirmed that the meeting eventually resumed after ensuring all 13 PNM members were present to meet quorum requirements. He emphasised that such a walkout was unprecedented in the corporation’s history.