Minister Clyde Elder Slams Opposition As Government Repeals Ttra

In a passionate debate in the House of Representatives, Minister in the Ministry of Public Utilities, Clyde Elder, took direct aim at the Opposition during Friday’s debate to repeal the Trinidad and Tobago Revenue Authority (TTRA). Elder, a former trade unionist, described the repeal as “poetic justice” and accused the former administration of using the TTRA to target public servants and weaken the Public Service Association (PSA). He didn’t hold back in his criticism of the PNM, highlighting what he called hypocrisy in their approach to worker protection. He referenced the previous government’s victimisation hotline as evidence of how politics had been weaponised against ordinary citizens. The bill to repeal the Trinidad and Tobago Revenue Authority (TTRA) Act was passed in the House of Representatives early Saturday morning around 1:15am. It received 27 votes in favour, including support from Tobago East MP David Thomas of the Tobago People’s Party, who sided with the Government during the vote. The move to dismantle the TTRA has sparked ongoing debate, as questions remain about how the State will now manage tax collection and enforcement. The bill now proceeds to the Senate for further consideration.