October 27, 2016:
The Honourable Colm Imbert, Minister of Finance, addressed the Post Cabinet Press Briefing today (Thursday 27th October, 2016) at the Office of the Prime Minister, St. Clair, Port of Spain.
Minister Imbert commented on the Judge’s order with regard to the LifeSport matter which mandates that the report be remitted to the Central Audit Committee. According to the Finance Minister, this order is to facilitate the Committee’s completion of its work and so it ought to be noted that the report remains alive.
Minister Imbert also provided the assurance that the principles of natural justice will be observed as the proceedings continue. As such, the persons who are the subject of the report will have their right to be heard observed. The Minister of Finance confirmed that, once the written judgment is given, legal advice will be sought to guide the Ministry of Finance’s response.
Additionally, Minister Imbert addressed the decision by certain gas station dealers to cease the acceptance of payments via debit and credit cards. In addition to being an inconvenience to the public, Minister Imbert noted that a decision to only accept cash payments at gas stations will have an effect on credit cards issued by the government and may effectively ground the government’s fleet of vehicles, including police vehicles.
As such, the Ministry of Finance has issued instructions to state owned gas stations that they are to continue to accept debit and credit card payments. Furthermore, the terms under which dealer owned gas stations operate will be investigated to determine whether or not such a decision is permissible.
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