“Although some may disagree, Trinidad and Tobago has a series of strong institutional checks and balances that establish and maintain a solid platform for good governance.”
This was the message from Finance Minister Colm Imbert as he delivered remarks at the 4th Dialogue on Governance for Development in Latin America and the Caribbean at the Hyatt Regency (Trinidad) hotel in Port of Spain yesterday.
“We have an independent Judiciary, a free press, a Constitution that respects the rights and freedoms of all citizens, a highly accountable Parliament, which scrutinises the Government’s actions and decisions and the performance of all State enterprises and statutory authorities,” he said. “We also have an independent elections commission, a robust system for access to official information, and systems for challenging public authorities’ decisions, among many other checks and balances.”
Imbert highlighted several projects in the public sector which he said play a crucial role in advancing effective governance in Trinidad and Tobago.
One was the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property Act, which was made fully operational in April 2023, and is “landmark legislation central to ensuring that our public procurement processes and systems are conducted with integrity, fairness, transparency and efficiency”, he said.
Another institutional reform initiative that the Government engaged in as part of its thrust towards effective governance is the establishment of the Trinidad and Tobago Revenue Authority.
“Effective governance is the cornerstone of this initiative. This Authority, which will not be subject to the public service bureaucracy, thus avoiding the stifling of initiative and demotivation of efficient public officers, marks a pivotal moment in our nation’s journey toward fiscal integrity and efficient public administration. This initiative is not merely a structural change but a bold step toward transforming how we manage and optimise our nation’s revenue collection,” Imbert stated.
The implementation of the Trinidad and Tobago Revenue Authority will “allow us to remove some of the mystique and opacity associated with revenue collection, make it much easier for taxpayers to pay their taxes, bring all income earners into the tax net, thus making our tax collection system far more equitable, allow for complete digitisation of the process, thus removing the need for cash payments and long lines and queues at the various revenue offices, and will enable the public to interact with our revenue collection agency in a meaningful way”, he said.
Gambling and Gaming Commission
The creation of the Gambling Commission by legislation is not just a regulatory measure but a commitment to transparency, integrity, and accountability in the gambling sector, Imbert said.
“Trinidad and Tobago is one of the few countries in the world which has a largely unregulated gambling industry, with all of the attendant problems associated with a lack of proper oversight of gambling and gaming. We are addressing several critical areas by instituting a dedicated body to oversee and regulate gambling activities,” he said.
Firstly, the Commission will ensure that gambling operations are conducted fairly and ethically, protecting both consumers and the industry, Imbert said.
“Secondly, this move promotes transparency. The Gambling Commission will provide oversight and maintain detailed records of gambling entities, practices and equipment, which means that stakeholders and the public will have access to crucial information, fostering trust and confidence in the system,” he said. “Thirdly, by implementing strict regulatory measures, we are combating illegal activities and minimising the risks associated with gambling.”
Full proclamation of the Gambling (Gaming and Betting) Control Act, 2021 and the full operationalisation of the Gambling Control Commission is imminent, Imbert said.
“I have targeted the end of this year, December 2024, for its full implementation,” he said.
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Publish date : 2024-08-14 15:00:00
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