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Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley along with Education Minister Anthony Garcia and Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan were centre stage at the 'Conversations With The Prime Minister' Meeting at the St. Augustine Secondary School on Wednesday evening.


The Forum sought to engage the national community on several matters of national interest.

Prime Minister Rowley noted that this most recent Forum is taking place two years after the PNM won the last General Election.

He reminded citizens that they elected a new Government in 2015 because they were not satisfied with the previous administration and while he was elected to lead, this often means making tough and sometimes unpopular decisions. However, he assured that all decisions are made in the interest of the national community and they will ensure a brighter future in the long run.

The Prime Minister also dismissed claims that Government is engaged in mass retrenchment, saying the administration is attempting to keep jobs and maintain the monthly payroll for 89,000 workers in the public sector.

He also expressed his dismay on widespread corruption which he said "permeates T&T as a society." He said persons must be held accountable for their actions.

In his address, Education Minister Anthony Garcia defended the decision to move the SEA exam from May to March, and highlighted plans to improve the school system.

Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan gave an update on ongoing projects including the Point Fortin Highway Project, where Government had successfully recovered $1 billion from OAS which has now gone back into completing the project.

He also spoke of new projects on stream such as the Moruga First Class Road and the new Road to Toco, and addressed ways to deal with public transportation in order to increase efficiency.