OPEN TO ABUSE

Independent Senator Anthony Vieira yesterday hit back at Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar over her descriptions of the Independent senators as “satanic” and “demons”, sarcastically declaring that his supposed demonic status gave him special insight into greed and the dangers surrounding the handling of public money.

Vieira used the pointed response as he launched a stinging attack on the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property (Amendment) Bill, 2026, warning that the proposed changes could weaken safeguards against corruption, marginalise the Office of Procurement Regulation (OPR) and create opportunities for abuse of the public purse.

“Now, Mr President, a benefit of being satanic and demonic is that I have insight into the souls of men,” Vieira said during his Senate contribution.