Following his announcement on Tuesday that school-age children from Hurricane affected zones in the Caribbean are welcomed to spend the vacation period in Trinidad should they have relatives here, Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley says the Immigration Division will facilitate the process as far as they are able to, if the offer is taken up by the families. 

“The Minister of National Security has informed the Immigration Department that in the event that the offer is taken up by families, to facilitate as far as they are able to. What the offer is, if there are children in the zones of devast who have relatives in Trinidad who are willing to accept the children, that T&T will gladly facilitate to bring relief to citizens that have been so damaged by Beryl,” Dr. Rowley said.

Dr. Rowley was speaking in the House of Representatives on Wednesday afternoon.   

He was challenged by Opposition MP Dr. Roodal Moonilal, about whether the offer had been any real merit to it, given visitors are allowed to T&T in any case. 

“People can come in any event, won’t you agree with that?” Moonilal asked, further questioning why no measures had been taken to assist with things like air travel or housing. 

“The most important part of it is for the relatives in Trinidad, whoever they might be, to accept them in the holiday period. They will then identify themselves and receive the full assistance of the willing people of Trinidad and Tobago. I don’t know what my friend from Oropouche East is talking about. There’s no issue,” the PM ended.