Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has taken on additional responsibilities following a reshuffling of ministerial portfolios, which also saw the renaming of two ministries. The adjustments were made by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister, in accordance with section 79(1) of the Constitution.
While Persad-Bissessar has not commented publicly on the changes, Minister of Public Utilities and Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Barry Padarath told Newsday that the reassignment aims to “harmonise the agencies and state enterprises where there is a natural fit, as well as for better operations and functionality.”
According to a gazette notice published on October 4, Padarath was assigned new responsibilities for Power Generation, Trinidad Generation Unlimited, and Powergen—portfolios that were previously under the purview of Minister of Energy and Energy Industries Dr Roodal Moonilal.
Speaking with Newsday on October 5, Padarath welcomed the additions, noting that the arrangement had existed many years ago and would better align with his current oversight of the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC). He said the changes would allow for a review of existing power purchase agreements, which he claimed were neglected by the previous administration.
“Further, the impact of the excess power on the national grid is something that we are looking at in terms of our partnerships with commercial entities,” Padarath said. “During the PNM administration for the last nine-plus years, very little was addressed in the area of power generation in TT. It is our intention to review the agreements, make them more commercially viable, and explore untapped areas for investment. Of course, this will be done in consultation with all stakeholders as a long-term plan for the sector.”
Dr Moonilal also expressed support for the changes, saying the realignment will enable his ministry to focus on other priorities.
“Realignment of portfolio areas lends itself to better synergies and efficiencies. Our sector is not the same as it was a decade ago,” he said. “I am happy to concentrate more on our regional energy and investment footprint and the key high-hanging fruits, as the country has already witnessed. Our economic future still depends highly on the energy sector and our reemergence as the hemispheric energy hub.”
The reshuffle also expands the Prime Minister’s own responsibilities. Persad-Bissessar will now directly oversee matters relating to Heritage Buildings, Constitutional Reform, the National Trust, National Commission for Self-Help Limited, National Library Services, and the National Library and Information System Authority.
Additionally, she will assume responsibility for the Home Improvement Grants Policy, the Housing and Village Improvement Programme (HVIP), and the Government-Aided Self-Help Housing Programme (GASHHP), which were previously under the portfolios of Minister of Culture and Community Development Michelle Benjamin, Minister of Housing David Lee, and Minister of Public Administration Dominic Smith.
