De Coteau: New ministry another link with citizens

The Ministry of National Diversity and Social Integration will be another of Government’s outreach ministries to increase links with citizens and serve them. That much was made clear from statements yesterday by Minister Clifton De Coteau. De Coteau, awaiting the issue of the latest T&T Gazette, which officially lists ministerial responsibilities, added the ministry would primarily facilitate citizens who wished to access various Government services. He said it was based on citizen facilitation to assist in a variety of issues, from utility matters to pension queries. “We will create a visible impact on the lives of people and open more comfortable interaction between citizens and Government, via this ministry,” he said.

De Coteau said the ministry was not a duplication of the Ministry of the People, which is also a PP ministry serving citizens. “We’re championing diversity and inclusion on all issues and will aim to make T&T’s rainbow country reputation a reality,” he added. The ministry also is responsible for civil-society engagement, which was previously under the Prime Minister’s office and which links with charities, non-governmental groups, museums, the National Trust and the National Heroes Unit, several centres around T&T. Citizens also would access assistance, via MPs’ constituency offices and an electronic governance portal, he said. The ministry’s head office will be at Gray Street, St Clair.