Deputy chairman of the United National Congress, Khadijah Ameen, has praised former sport minister Anil Roberts for wanting to serve his country even as he is shrouded in much confusion.
Ameen attended a march on Tuesday afternoon in her community aimed at sensitising women and young girls about the dangers of violence.
It was under Roberts' term as minister of sport that the controversial LifeSport programme was established.
Roberts, who has been out of the limelight for some 27 months, appeared on a political platform at the UNC Monday Night Forum in Diego Martin.
His appearance also coincided with a High Court judgment to quash the LifeSport audit report into the multi-million dollar programme.
Roberts, who spoke at the Diego Martin Government School, said the decision to "jump out now" came only after the court ruling which he said had exonerated him and his involvement in the programme.
Following the publication of the audit which showed wanton expenditure, Roberts was forced to resign from the People's Partnership government and has since kept a low public profile until Monday night.
But defending Roberts, Ameen said: "I think it is commendable that after being vilified he is still willing to serve his country."
Saying there were those who held opposing views on the issue, Ameen said the D'Abadie/O'Meara constituency, where Roberts previously served as MP, constituents were still missing him.
"A lot of people lamented his absence and have been crying out for his return, "Ameen said.
She also strongly defended the programme, saying it was created to reach out to disadvantaged youths in various communities, including Carapo
A resident of Carapo herself, Ameen said the programme did in fact make a difference in that particular community, adding it was stopped due to allegations of wrongdoing.
"I think in our country we must accept the fact that minister resigned to allow the investigation to take place. Now that it has been quashed in the court he has made a return and has continued his interest to serve T&T," Ameen said.
Criticising the present administration she said there were still allegations hanging over the head of Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi in which photos were shown on social media depicting children holding high-powered weapons.
"The question is whether he should step down to allow the proper investigation to take place because the agency which has to investigate also reports to the office of the Attorney General so there is a conflict of interest," Ameen said.
She said since the programme was stopped there had been no alternative put in place, urging the Government to correct that.
During the march residents came out to support the initiative also adding their voices to the fight against violence.
The march, which started at Jokhan Trace in Carapo, ended at Race Course Road where a banner was put up urging the end of the scourge of abuse.
Marisa Ramlogan, public relations officer for the UNC, said similar activities would be held in various communities to raise awareness.