Trending/politics· Updated Oct 25, 2026

MPs Question Government Spending During Standing Finance Committee Hearings

Standing Finance Committee hearings scrutinised staffing, energy spending, fuel-subsidy payments and company wind-ups. The Government allocated $36 million for closures including CEPEP, while the total fuel-subsidy debt remains to be verified.

Photo via Express · from Has debt crossed $1 billion?

4 reports from 2 outlets · First reported Wed, Oct 21

Summary

Updated Oct 27, 2026

The committee examined plans to move 18 Labour Ministry short-term workers into contract posts and Energy Ministry staffing and contracting costs.
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Government allocated $36 million to wind up companies including CEPEP and address liabilities at entities such as BWIA.
Express
Moonilal said $750 million was paid to NP and Unipet but must verify total fuel-subsidy debt and outstanding balances.
Express

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Coverage

Oct 25, 2026

Govt projects $36m to wind up companies, including CEPEP

The Government has set aside $36 million to wind up companies, including CEPEP Company Ltd, after opposition MPs questioned the sharp jump from earlier spending levels. Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo said the money will help close long-unresolved companies such as BWIA and cover liabilities, while other ministry areas also face procurement delays and arrears.

Oct 23, 2026

Has debt crossed $1 billion?

Opposition MP Stuart Young pressed Energy Minister Roodal Moonilal to confirm whether Trinidad and Tobago’s fuel subsidy debt has topped $1 billion, as the ministry’s allocation and outstanding payments came under scrutiny in the Standing Finance Committee. Moonilal said $750 million had been paid to NP and Unipet, but promised to verify the total debt and outstanding balances. Young also challenged cuts in subsidy funding, higher short-term employment spending and a $130 million revised estimate for other contracted services.

Oct 22, 2026

Energy Ministry Moves To Fill Vacant Contract And Establishment Positions

Energy Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal said the ministry spent $17 million on contracting services last fiscal year and has been allocated $71.6 million for this year, largely for Heritage Petroleum payments, Tobago oil spill response, and cleanup work tied to legacy Petrotrin issues. He also said the ministry is moving people from service-provider arrangements to short-term posts and filling vacant positions to address Auditor General concerns.

Oct 22, 2026

Labour Ministry Plans To Move 18 Short-Term Workers To Contract Employment

The Ministry of Labour, Small and Micro Enterprise Development plans to move 18 workers from short-term posts to contract employment, Minister Leroy Baptiste said during the Standing Finance Committee. The change would raise the ministry’s contract staff from 40 to 58, formalising jobs and increasing employment security within the public sector.

MPs Question Government Spending During Standing Finance Committee Hearings

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