Moonilal says all's well in PP; stress and strains normal in coalitions

Roodal Moonilal is of the view that "strains and stress of early government" are normal in a coalition arrangement.

The Housing and Environment minister, who is also one of the three deputy leaders of the United National Congress (UNC), made the comment to reporters who asked about alleged discontent within the People's Partnership.

His ministerial colleague Jack Warner has suggested that there are some problems within the partnership. However he has also said such problems would be resolved since it is normal for disagreements within families.

"I am not overly concerned with the normal strains and stress of early government in a coalition arrangement. These things are problems that will occur time and time again," Moonilal told the Trinidad Guardian.

He added that he looks forward specifically to discussing issues raised by Warner.  


Moonilal said it is "premature" to people be critical of state boards appointments since only half of the complement of boards and statutory bodies have been made.

He noted that one of the first appointments went to COP member Gerry Yetming, who heads CLICO and CL Financial.

The minister admitted that it is very challenging in making appointments with a five-party coalition. "But I think that at the end of the process we would be in a better position to assess. And in any event we also seek the best people possible and available," he said.

Moonilal stated that the Government and Cabinet continue to work in harmony. 

"There is a high degree of teamwork among Cabinet members. There would always be challenges again resulting from the nature of coalition politics and the need for harmony and consensus-building," he said.