Former People’s Partnership Housing Minister Roodal Moonilal and the former Housing Development Corporation managing director had both been noted, during the PP’s term in office, in photos with, and speaking about, one of the people who were arrested in Thursday’s Beetham protests.
Housing Minister Randall Mitchell pointed this out yesterday in Parliament, after Moonilal piloted a motion which accused Government of failing to implement a viable housing policy and affordable housing. Moonilal had also spoken about Thursday’s Beetham protests.
But Mitchell said he remembered seeing Moonilal’s photograph in the media, during the last term, with one of the people arrested in the Beetham protest.
“‘Ooohhh! ‘Spanish’...” PNM MPs confirmed.
Mitchell said former HDC managing director (Jearlean John) was also in the press “... congratulating ‘Spanish’ as one of the best contractors in East Port-of-Spain.”
Moonilal, in piloting his motion, criticised the Prime Minister’s initial reaction to the protests, noting he held a media briefing 24 hours later to “buff” Beetham.
“But he gave no new plan or policy to engage constituents. Engaging them with training, culture and sports is very important to empower people,” Moonilal said.
He said the protest showed people feel alienated.