By Alicia Chamely

THE Government is refusing to answer questions about the termination of Dr Alvin Hilaire as Central Bank Governor and nine executive officers at the Water and Sewerage Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (WASA).

The terminations were brought up during the Notice of Urgent Questions at the 13th Sitting of the House of Representatives at the Red House, Port of Spain on Friday.

Member of Parliament for Diego Martin North/East Colm Imbert asked for Finance Minister Devendranath Tancoo to provide the reasons for the termination of Hilaire as Central Bank Governor.

Hilaire’s termination was confirmed on Wednesday. He was appointed under the People’s National Movement government in December 2015.

Tancoo responded to Imbert’s request invoking Standing Order 27 (1) G.

He said, “Mr. Speaker, I refer your attention to Standing Order 27 (1) G, as it relates to this question.”

Former finance minister Larry Howai is the new Governor of the Central Bank.

Minister of Public Utilities Barry Padarath replied the same when he was asked by Member of Arouca/Lopinot Marvin Gonzales to provide the reasoning behind the immediate termination of nine executive officers of WASA.

Padarath said, “Mr. Speaker, I refer your attention to Standing Order 27 (1) G, as it relates to this question.”

On Thursday, it was confirmed the government had fired WASA Chief Executive Officer Keithroy Halliday, as well as nine other executive officers.

Standing Order 27 (1) G, allowed for a Minister to decline answering a question, should he or she believe the publication of the answer would be contrary to public interest.

The Opposition has accused the government of purging various sectors of the public service of those who do not align with the United National Congress.

The UNC has vehemently denied those accusations.