Appointment of an Advisory Committee to Formulate Terms of Reference for a National Consultation on Constitutional Reform for Trinidad and Tobago

The Cabinet has approved the appointment of a seven-member advisory committee to formulate terms of reference for a National Consultation on Constitutional Reform for Trinidad and Tobago. The committee will engage citizens and stakeholders in Trinidad and Tobago and the diaspora in a National Consultation.

Prime Minister Dr Hon. Keith Rowley made the announcement at the Post-Cabinet Media Briefing held at Whitehall today (Thursday 18th January, 2024).

The Advisory Committee will comprise of:

Mr. Barendra Sinanan (Chairman)

Dr. Terrence Farrell

Mr. Raye Sandy

Ms. Jacqueline Sampson Meiguel

Mr. Winston Rudder

Mr. Nizam Mohammed

Ms. Hema Narinesingh

The National Advisory Committee shall consider and make recommendations to the Cabinet within three months of its appointment for the promotion and convening of a National Constitutional Conference and Consultation in June 2024.

The Committee shall incorporate and outline the parameters of the subject matter for national debate and for the engagement of the widest cross-section of persons and bodies representing the citizenry, including the diaspora, political parties, NGOs, commercial interests, religious interests, labour/trade union interests, educators and students, to promote meaningful consultations, debate and engagement in the offering and exchange of opinions and the making of recommendations for constitutional reform for Trinidad and Tobago.

The Committee will also be required to initiate, consult widely, and guide the national debate towards the generation of a package of ideas and opinions which can be distilled into a working document which will become the working document for a Constitution Conference by mid-2024. This national participatory exercise is expected to generate specific proposals for legislative and other adjustments and introductions which will almost certainly invite Parliamentary notice and relevant action.

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Appointment of an Advisory Committee to Formulate Terms of Reference for a National Consultation on Constitutional Reform for Trinidad and Tobago, to Engage Citizens and Stakeholders in Trinidad and Tobago and the Diaspora in a National Consultation

            The matter for the consideration of Cabinet is the approval of the appointment of a National Advisory Committee to formulate Terms of Reference for a national dialogue on constitutional reform for Trinidad and Tobago and, in that regard to consider and make recommendations to the Cabinet within three months of its appointment for the promoting and convening of a National Constitutional Conference and Consultation in June of 2024, taking into consideration the diverse nature of the national society, it’s historical evolution and the progress made in nationhood since attaining independence and republican status and, matters related thereto.

2.         The National Advisory Committee shall incorporate within its proposed Terms of Reference outline parameters of subject matter for national debate and for the engagement of the widest cross section of persons and bodies representing the citizenry, including the diaspora, political parties, NGOs, commercial interests, religious interests, labour/trade union interests, educators and students, with a view to promoting meaningful consultations, debate and engagement in the offering and exchange of opinions and the making of recommendations for constitutional reform for Trinidad and Tobago.

3.         This National Advisory Committee is to comprise of seven (7) experienced citizens of distinction with a wealth of knowledge, representative of the diverse ethnic, cultural and religious nature of Trinidad and Tobago’s society. In consequence, after careful consideration, the Honourable Prime Minister proposes to nominate and Cabinet is asked to agree the following persons:

1. Mr. Barendra Sinanan
2. Dr. Terrence Farrell
3. Mr. Raye Sandy
4. Ms. Jackie Sampson-Miguel
5. Mr. Winston Rudder
6. Mr. Nizam Mohammed
7. Ms. Hema Narinesingh

4.         The Committee will be required to initiate, consult widely and guide the national debate towards the generation of package of ideas and opinions which can be distilled into a working document which will become the working document for a Constitution Conference by mid-2024.

5.         It is anticipated that this national participatory exercise should generate specific proposals for legislative and other adjustments and introductions which will almost certainly invite Parliamentary notice and relevant action.

6.         The Ministry of Finance is required to provide all the necessary financial support for administrative, legal, travel, media expenses and community engagements service for the duration of the existence of the Committee. The appropriate budget to be approved by the OPM.

7.         The Ministry of Public Administration will be required to provide acceptable office accommodation as well as technical and clerical support staff for the Committee. The Office of the Prime Minister will return to Cabinet by separate Note to obtain authorization for the payment of an appropriate honorarium to members of the Committee.

8.         The respective curricula vitae of the persons listed at paragraph 3 are attached as Appendices I-VII.

• In light of the foregoing, the Honourable Prime Minister recommends, and Cabinet is asked to agree that the National Advisory Committee on constitutional reform be appointed comprising of the following distinguished citizens:

1. Mr. Barendra Sinanan S.C – Chairman
2. Dr. Terrence Farrell
3. Mr. Raye Sandy
4. Ms. Jackie Sampson-Miguel
5. Mr. Winston Rudder
6. Haji Nizam Mohammed
7. Ms. Hema Narinesingh

OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER