March 16, 2023

Tempers Flare At RIC Public Consultation, Meeting Ends Prematurely

By Newsroom

A public consultation on proposed electricity rate increases ended prematurely on Wednesday evening, with police escorting officials of the Regulated Industries Commission out of the Centre Point Mall in Chaguanas.

This as UNC MPs devolved into a shouting match in opposition of the increase, even dragging a handmade coffin labelled ‘RIC’ to the front of the stage.

The meeting was forced to a close ahead of the intended 7pm time.

Among the Opposition MPs present were Chaguanas West MP Dinesh Rambally, Princes Town MP Barry Padarath, Barataria/San Juan MP Saddam Hosein and Couva South MP Rudy Indarsingh.

Public Utilities Minister Marvin Gonzales has condemned the behavior of the MPs and called on leader Kamla Persad Bissessar to rein in her members.

Meanwhile, Opposition MP Anita Haynes defends her colleagues’ behavior at Wednesday’s RIC public consultation, saying the Opposition had no desire to disrupt the meeting.

At a media conference on Thursday morning, MP Haynes said Opposition MPs even met with Dawn Callender, Chairman of the RIC, after the entire debacle.

The RIC is scheduled to hold consultations this Saturday in San Fernando and Point Fortin.

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