In Brief
- Casting vote passes Bill: Senate President Wade Mark used his deciding vote to break a 15–15 deadlock, allowing the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property (Amendment) Bill 2026 to pass.
- Treasury at risk: Opposition Leader Penelope Beckles strongly criticised the move, warning that the amended legislation could open the door to the “gutting of the Treasury.”
- Independents reject amendments: Every Independent Senator voted against the Bill, a unified stance Beckles says highlights serious flaws, dismissing government claims that the bench is aligned with the PNM.
- Government claims efficiency: The government maintains that the amendments are necessary to cut red tape and prevent delays in state purchasing and public projects.
- Fears of corruption: Both the Opposition and the Independent Bench warn that reducing the powers of the Office of Procurement Regulation could lead to unchecked corruption in the awarding of government contracts.
By Alicia Chamely
Opposition Leader Penelope Beckles says the passing of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property (Amendment) Bill 2026 could open the door to gutting the Treasury.
In a press release on Tuesday, Beckles criticised Senate President Wade Mark’s decision to use his casting vote during Monday’s Senate debate, which allowed the Bill to be passed, stating his vote was “the cast vote that supports gutting of the Treasury.”
Focusing on the government’s recent criticism of the Independent Bench, who voted against the Bill, she stated that despite the government’s assertion that the Independent Senators’ decisions were “unjust and wrong,” their votes showed concerns about the Bill.
She stated, “The simple fact is that their decisions have revealed the serious concerns surrounding this Bill and the extent to which it could be used to gut the Treasury and allow billions of dollars to be squandered by this UNC Government.”
Beckles expressed her outrage at Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and her government’s decision to pass a Bill that every Independent Senator “found difficult to support.”
She countered the government’s accusations of the Independent Senators being aligned with the People’s National Movement (PNM), pointing out that every Independent Senator had “supported Government legislation on countless occasions.”
Beckles accused the government of using the Bill for its own benefit.
Referencing past procurement scandals, she stated, “What is telling is that this Government appears to be here for a good time, with bad reasons, and is prepared to go to extreme measures to fatten its pockets.”
“The UNC slept well last night as it moved forward with a Bill that could open the door to gutting the Treasury,” Beckles stated.
Adding, “Meanwhile, the people of Trinidad and Tobago are left to cower in the shadows of this UNC nightmare.”
On Monday, the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property (Amendment) Bill 2026 was passed in the Lower House.
Mark used his constitutionally protected right to use his casting vote after the voting process left the Bill in a 15–15 deadlock.
The government has stated the amended Bill would reduce redundant bureaucracy and red tape, allowing for easier and quicker procurement processes that would mitigate delays in government projects and purchasing.
The Opposition and Independent Bench raised concerns that the amendments, which included reducing the powers of the Office of Procurement Regulation, could lead to more corruption in the awarding of government contracts.
