Trinidad & Tobago Transparency Institute welcomes the statement of the Honourable Minister of Works that contracts to be awarded will be “free of corruption”, free of nepotism and cronyism. Transparency would also appreciate seeing the implementation of the recent Procurement Legislation with alacrity and urgency. It is imperative that the Government will ensure production of relevant handbook and manual, and indeed, full establishment of the Office of the Procurement Regulator as these are essential to a corruption-free procurement process.

Transparency will also continue to monitor progress towards implementation of other necessary legislation in the drive to impose good governance procedures; e.g., Whistleblower Protection; and Regulating Political Party and Election Campaign Financing.

The Minister’s statement is an encouraging first step.