Gail Alexander
No unlawful disclosure of people's private banking information will be done by Government.
Finance Minister Colm Imbert in Parliament yesterday refused to answer an Opposition UNC query which had called for him to provide a list of the ten largest recipients of foreign exchange for the period October 1st, 2021 to September 30th, 2022.
The question was listed as being posed by UNC's Moruga MP Michelle Benjamin.
Imbert replying, said," This is a surprising question. It is a matter of record that the public disclosure by a former Governor of the Central Bank in 2015 of the names of the largest recipients of foreign exchange at that time, in contravention of Section 56 of the Central Bank Act Chap. 79:02 and Section 44 of the Exchange Control Act Chap. 79:50 created a public conflagration."
"The fact that this was an egregious breach of banking confidentiality has been missed by many commentators recently. This is information within the bosom of the Central Bank which they and other financial instructions are forbidden from disclosing under penalty of law."
He added, "Disclosure of this information will destroy the confidence which clients have in the Central Bank, and in financial institutions, that their private banking information will not be disclosed without their consent. Further, unlawful disclosure of private banking information could never be in the public interest, no matter what the circumstances may be."
"It would be irrational, unlawful, irresponsible and an abuse of power for me as Minister of Finance to engage in such a breach of trust and I have no intention of ever doing so."
Works Minister Rohan Sinanan also detailed work done and continuing in this fiscal year on landslips on the Naparima Mayaro highway, sections of which from Princes Town through Rio Claro are prone to landslips and slope failures due to soil composition.
The Highways Division will also be doing interim road restoration where another critical landslip is located at Robert Village. "Additionally, the PURE Unit will be undertaking significant road rehabilitation works along the Naparima Mayaro Road between the 38km – 41km mark under its programme for this fiscal year "
Sinanan spoke about work on St. Julien Road - where there are four landslips - including slope stabilization and other repair plus procurement for further work to commence by March.
Sinanan said ongoing construction of the highway from Cumuto to Manzanilla- which began in 2018- includes second priority for construction of 1.7 km roadway from the end of Package 1B to the Eastern Main Road. " Construction of this segment is expected to commence in 2023."
On reconstruction of the Caltoo bridge which was halted due to weather constraints, he added, "Once weather conditions become favourable, on-site works will commence with the excavation for the by-pass channel. We're still targeting May 2023 for completion, barring unforeseen circumstances..."