Independent Sena­tor Francis Lewis has expressed concern over the extent of authority vested in the Prime Minister under the Law Reform (Zones of Special Operations) (Special Security and Community Development Measures) Bill, 2026.

He was speaking yesterday du­ring a debate on the bill in the Senate at the red House in Port of Spain and argued that such powers could erode parliamentary control.

He noted that the ZOSO bill seeks to provide a legal framework for declaring designated areas as special operations zones, allowing for enhanced security measures in response to serious crime and threats to public order.