Trinidad and Tobago PM realigns Cabinet portfolios

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has implemented a realignment of ministerial portfolios in Trinidad and Tobago. Effective September 30, the changes redistribute responsibilities for various government programmes, state enterprises, and functions among Cabinet members.

A significant portion of the restructuring focuses on housing and state enterprises. Land and Legal Affairs Minister Saddam Hosein has assumed responsibility for the Government Aided Self-Help Housing Programme (GASHHP), the Housing and Village Improvement Programme (HVIP), and several state entities including Caroni (1975) Limited and the Sugar Manufacturing Company Limited. Housing Minister David Lee will manage the Home Improvement Policy and the Oropune Project, while Social Development and Family Services Minister Vandana Mohit oversees the National Commission for Self-Help Limited.

The realignment also affects national security and disaster management. Defence Minister Wayne Sturge is now responsible for National Emergency/Disaster Management and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management. Additionally, Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander has been assigned the management of illegal immigrants and deportees.