This is according to Member of Parliament for Chaguanas West Dinesh Rambally as tempers flared at an RIC consultation meeting at Centre Pointe Mall, Chaguanas on Wednesday night.
That consultation was attended to by several Opposition Members of Parliament including Rambally, Rudranath Indarsingh, Dr Rishad Seecharan, Barry Padarath, Anita Haynes, Saddam Hosein, Arnold Ram, Chaguanas Mayor Faaiq Mohammed and Chairman of the Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo
The MPs, mayor and chairman made a brief joint statement afterwards.
Rambally said the MPs went to the consultation to make representation on behalf of their constituents.
“I think it is an undoubted fact that citizens of Trinidad and Tobago have reached.. some of them they have crossed boiling points,” he said.
If the RIC was not willing to have robust and very caustic discussions, then why were they even having consultations the MP questioned adding that consultations was “no tea party.”
Rambally also said, “At no point in time, the security and safety of anyone was compromised.”
Chairman of the RIC Dawn Callender and Executive Director Glenn Khan as usual made presentations at the beginning of the consultations.
It was during Khan’s presentation that he initially angered residents when he said he did not recognise anyone other than about two people who he knew especially as he grew up nearby the area.
Indarsingh said, “He insulted all of the people who were assembled in the consultation room upstairs of the auditorium here when he said that he grew up not too far from here and all he was able to make out or connect with is two persons in the entire room. And it was that that sparked an overwhelming outrage from the entire crowd and I merely went to the microphone to enforce the sentiments of the crowd and to demand an immediate retraction and apology.”
An apology was given for the statement.
Indarsingh also said the RIC could communicate with local government councillors to have transportation organised for persons so they can attend those meetings to let their voices be heard.
Attendee interjects Khan’s presentation
Also during Khan’s presentation , Doolarchan Chattergoon voiced his concerns and attempts were made to have him silenced.
Chattergoon, of Esparanza, said, “In Trinidad now, once you talk is either they shoot you or they say you bad.”
He was told to behave himself by Khan and he asked, “Am I doing something wrong?”
Chattergoon continued voicing his concerns with Khan telling him, “If you want to be here please observe some silence so I can give my presentation.”
Eventually police officers attempted to calm him down by speaking to him and Indarsingh also intervened.
Khan proceeded to continue but was told , “Wait, wait, wait let them police go away nah, then you will talk again.”
The public consultation that is usually posted on the RIC’s social media pages in its entirety was not published in its entirety as the video was cut during Khan’s presentation just after he explained that 68% of residential customers with the new rate proposal will pay an increase of “only $1.44 or less per day.”
The consultations are carded to end on March 31.
Hold consultations on all constituencies
Indarsingh told AZP News on Thursday that consultations should be held in the 41 constituencies in Trinidad and Tobago and until that is done, then the RIC should do an analysis based on the responses from citizens.
He said, “There is an overwhelming rejection of the proposed rate increase.”
Indarsingh also enquired about a Plan B for acquiring finances to clear off debts should the rates not be increased.
The Couva South MP said thousands of persons have lost their jobs and such an increase now would only add to their burdens as apart from paying a higher electricity rate, that cost would trickle down to consumers having “a thorough domino effect.”
