Cabinet ministers praise PM’s leadership on CCJ referral

Ministers Barry Padarath (Public Utilities), Roodal Moonilal (Energy) and David Lee (Housing) have praised Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar following Tuesday’s announcement that Caricom agreed to her proposal to refer the reappointment of Caricom’s Secretary General to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) for advisory opinion.

Padarath congratulated the Prime Minister “for demonstrating the courage, conviction and statesmanship required to stand firm in defence of transparency, accountability and the rule of law.”

Saying leadership was about “having the fortitude to stand by what you believe is right, even if you stand alone,” Padarath said Persad-Bissessar did exactly that by maintaining the position on the matter and successfully persuading fellow leaders that the issues deserved the CCJ’s independent guidance.

“Securing the support of Caricom Heads is no small achievement. It reflects a leader capable of engaging with her regional counterparts, presenting a reasoned and principled position, and building consensus around good governance,” he added.

“She will not cower when matters of principle are at stake. Instead, she chose perseverance, integrity and conviction and in doing so, earned the confidence and support of her regional colleagues….”

Moonilal cited the PM’s “courage and unwavering commitment to democracy,” adding he believed it was “a victory for democracy and the rule of law in our region.”

He said Persad-Bissessar showed “real courage in standing firm on a matter of principle, at a time when it would have been far easier to stay silent and let the matter pass.”

Moonilal said Persad-Bissessar made clear from the onset that her objection was neither personal nor political, but rooted in the legality of the process itself.

“Had it not been for the Prime Minister raising these concerns, the unlawful process would have remained unchallenged, and the questionable status quo would simply have been allowed to stand. Her insistence on doing things the right way, respecting the rule of law and the democratic principles that Caricom was built on, has been proven right.

He said the outcome reflects the Prime Minister’s broader commitment to transparency, accountability and good governance, at home and regionally.

Lee, commending the PM’s resolute leadership, said the leaders’ decision to support Persad-Bissessar’s CCJ proposal “is a clear vindication of her principled leadership and steadfast commitment to good governance.”

Saying she’d maintained T&T’s position was about “protecting due process, transparency and the integrity of regional institutions, not personalities or politics.”

Lee said despite criticism, she remained firm in defending what was right, and the position was recognised and supported by the region.