Snaggs is new Chairman of T&T phone company; Alfonso heads PLIPDECO

Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar Kamla Persad-Bissesssar announced on Thursday that cabinet has approved a list of 300 names to serve on State Boards in Trinidad and Tobago.

She told reporters at a late afternoon news briefing that there will be no executive chairmen for now and that no one will serve on more than one board.

Among those appointed to boards are former Police commissioner Everald Snaggs. He is the new chairman of the Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT).

And former army chief Brigadier Carl Alfonso will be head of PLIPDECO, the Point Lisas Port Development Corporation.

Alfonso was Chief of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force from 1993 to 1999. He also served as Vice-chief of Defence Staff (Operations) and was Aide-de-camp to President Noor Hassanali, 1987-88.

Former cabinet ministers Lindsay Gillette and Selby Wilson are chairman and vice-chairman of the Petroleum Company of Trinidad and Tobago Ltd (Petrotrin) respectively. Gilette served in the Panday UNC administration and Wilson was a NAR cabinet minister.

The Prime Minister said, "The Cabinet recognises the anxieties generated by what appeared to be a long delay, but this was unavoidable, given the work required in making the right choices."

She said the interest from members of the public to serve on state boards is clear evidence that there is no shortage of persons willing to serve.

She reiterated that her government has set the bar high and that there is no need at all to consider amending the Integrity in Public Life Bill, which requires a full declaration of assets by members of state boards.

The Prime Minister told reporters she will hold a special seminar for members of State boards to deal with the various pieces of legislation governing State entities, good governance, procurement, transparency and accountability.

Noting that a lot of persons are not aware of things you can and cannot do, she said said, "Indeed, in fact, it happens to even elected MPs and ministers."

She said the cabinet is doing some further thinking on appointments to the boards of the Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (UDeCOTT) and other special purpose companies in the State sector.

She said the Government's position on procurement and special-purpose State enterprises would be shaped by the recommendations of the Prof John Uff Enquiry.