Caption: Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath, left, Rome and Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister Natasha Barrow
By Prior Beharry
PUBLIC Utilities Minister Barry Padarath accused MP Stuart Young of displaying a “disgusting and abrasive attitude towards public servants” as the two clashed over recent Christmas functions at the Office of the Prime Minister and Ministry of Public Utilities.
Padarath said that the artistes who performed at the events were contracted by the State-owned Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) as brand ambassadors and that no funds from the OPM or MPU were paid to the artists.
He added that the ministers personally subsidised food and beverages at the events from their own pockets, arguing the gesture was to show appreciation for staff working long hours. He said he posted clip that showed he and Parliament Secretary in the Ministry of Public Utilities Shivanna Sam eating doubles. He said he paid for the doubles.
Padarath said, “The performances at Christmas events at the OPM and MPU were done by artistes contracted by the PNM under TSTT as brand ambassadors. No funds from the OPM or MPU were paid to the artists. Instead, they graciously agreed to perform since they were already brand ambassadors for the state. I have confirmed this with the CEO of TSTT.”
He also said that ministers assisted by dipping into their own pockets to subsidise meals, and questioned why Young would view such gestures as improper.
Padarath described Young’s public remarks as part of an ongoing political tactic to portray public servants in a negative light.
Young, the Port of Spain North/St Ann’s West MP, had said that the country’s public sector has been hard hit by policy changes enacted by the UNC government. He said that tens of thousands of vulnerable workers in CEPEP, URP, Reforestation, the Housing Development Corporation (HDC), and other contract positions have lost employment since the UNC took office.
Young contended that ministries and state companies have been told to cut expenditure, with several profitable state entities, including NGC and Heritage Petroleum, reportedly cancelling end-of-year activities for staff. He criticised what he described as extravagant, vulgar, and expensive functions being funded by some government members, calling it a neglect of ordinary citizens who are struggling to make ends meet.
“Yet there are some in government who seem not to have received the ‘memo’ as they are having extravagant, vulgar and expensive functions and parties, rubbing their contempt and disregard in the faces of those who at this time do not even know where their next meal will come from,” Young said.
