No debate on Guanapo church

The Speaker of the House of Representatives on Wednesday turned down a request from Caroni East MP Dr Tim Gopeesingh to have a parliamentary debate on the issue of a controversial church in east Trinidad.

Gopeesingh had asked Barry Sinanan to approve the matter as a "definite matter of urgent public importance" to allow Prime Minister Patrick Manning to inform the nation "on the construction of the church on State lands in the Heights of Guanapo, Arima."

Gopeesingh claimed that the government is spending millions of dollars of state funds on the church and complained that there has not been any proper accountability for the use of public funds for such a project.

However, Sinanan rejected it, stating that it did not qualify under the Standing Order under which it was being raised. Instead he suggested that the MP consider making the application under another Standing Order.

Chaguanas MP Jack Warner has made an application under the Freedom of Information Act for disclosure of information about the church.

Warner wants to know more about the application and approvals for the construction. He is seeking the information from the relevant government ministries and agencies responsible for planning and development. He is also trying to determine who are the owners of the church.