PUBLIC Utilities Minister Barry Padarath has accused the former People’s National Movement (PNM) government of political hypocrisy, citing a Cabinet note that detailed the firing of contractors and the dismissal of employees in 2017, just days before the reopening of the school term.

“After reviewing the note that you sent, it was clear that all those who are crying crocodile tears today about CEPEP contractors and workers were at the centre of sending home workers and contractors just before school reopened in 2017. Where were the protests, name-calling and butchery then,” stated Padarath in response to questions from the Express.

“I have said it before that the PNM used CEPEP as a tool for political prostitution. There was no method to the madness regarding what happened at CEPEP, once you held a PNM party card that was the main criteria for eligibility to millions of taxpayers’ dollars,” he added.