Wired868 Wired868 for smart sport news and opinion
Anil Roberts resigns as Sport Minister and MP but admits no wrongdoing in Life Sport programme.
To: Honourable Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar,
I write to you today with a heavy heart to inform you of my desire to resign as Minister of Sport and as Member of Parliament for D’Abadie/ O’meara with immediate effect, based on the inexplicable public furore that continued unabated based on misinformation in the public domain.
It is quite unfortunate that I’m forced into this position because I don’t want to have a negative impact upon my team, the People’s Partnership Government.
Having done absolutely no wrong whatsoever, having not been mentioned not even once in a flawed Central Audit Report, in which the Auditors at the Ministry of Finance deviated from the Audit norms, by not allowing the relevant departments in question to respond to their findings and thus allowing to enter into the public domain an erroneous report.
However, I fully accept that politics has a morality of its own and that the truth is not always sought.
Finally, the claims by so called scribes that the Westminster system dictates my resignation, couldn’t be further from the truth for the Westminster system posits that a Minister’s resignation is unwarranted when departments under his portfolio over which he exerts no direct control nor Ministerial authority operate ultra vires to good cooperate governance practices.
That being so, I acknowledge the unjustified political pressure being placed upon your good self and your Government. Consequently, I offer you my resignation with immediate effect from all portfolios to allow your Government the freedom to serve the people without hindrance.
I must say, that I am proud of my performance over the past four years as Minister of Sport and Member of Parliament.
I do believe I have served the people of my constituency and my beloved country to the best of my ability.
May God bless you and your Government in the future.
Yours truly
Anil Roberts
Minister of Sport
Member of Parliament for D’Abadie / O’meara
Press statement by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar:
I continue to be disillusioned, disappointed and distressed by the level of deception and dishonesty associated with the well intentioned Life Sport programme.
The background is well known. At the hint of corrupt practices, I immediately ordered that the initiative be switched to the Ministry of National Security and instructed an independent audit be conducted.
After the findings of this audit were made available, I instructed that the report be sent to the Acting of Commissioner of Police, the Integrity Commission, the Head of the Public of the Service and the DPP for consideration.
But even as we await the finding of these independent institutions on the matter, the usual duties of the Minister of Sport are being burdened with the mounting controversy and questions surrounding the LifeSport programme.
I have allowed due process to occur, I have demonstrated patient allowance for all sides of the story to be heard through an independent audit.
I have given careful consideration to the rapidly emerging issues and have resisted quick judgment and rash decision.
The election of this government has changed the political landscape. The expectation of the public that something will be done when wrongs are committed in public office are (sic) now the hallmarks of good governance.
Consequently, I have decided to accept the offer of resignation as Minister of Sport from Mr Anil Roberts.
Further, I have advised His Excellency, the Acting President of Trinidad and Tobago, Timothy Hamel-Smith that with effect from today Thursday July 31st 2014 in accordance with the provisions of section 3 (9) and 79 (1) of the Constitution of Trinidad and Tobago that the appointment of Anil Roberts as Minister of Sport be revoked and that Dr Rupert Griffith be assigned the responsibility for Ministry of Sport in addition to his present duties as the Minister of Science and Technology.
“[…] Why do we have to partner with the GC Foster College (of Jamaica) when we have the Sport and Read more
In February 2023, immediately after receiving official word of their successful application to participate in the 16-22 July Gothia Cup Read more
Nearly a year after receiving their gold medals at a reallocation ceremony in Lausanne, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago’s 4x100M relay Read more
Two of our Ministers recently attended Jamaica’s Champs Track and Field Event. This was a great idea to expand the education Read more
The Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (GoRTT) will commit a sum of TT$9m over a three-year span Read more
“[…] Trinidad and Tobago is now in possession of three gold medals at the highest level of the sport, which is Read more
I was wondering the same Kendall. Please tell me Lasana it was satirical and not the actual wording. He couldn’t be THAT dumb.
Wait – that was the actual letter? I thought that was a satirical take by the infamous Mr. Live Wire of Wired868. You mean he actually wrote those words? SMH.
which two ministries does griffith have
“Constituencies, according to our laws, must be represented by MPs…not senators. Consider too if she loses more MPs she can no longer pass laws in the lower house without Opposition support.”
This is the bit that I was getting at, would it be a minority gov’t then?
As for the rest of your point, maybe we need to question the current arrangements?
I have a problem with all those lumped together ministries. I also don’t approve of so many powerful ministries being in the hands of persons who never faced the polls and are beholden to only the PM.
The govt is allowed 16 senators. She cannot go beyond that figure. But she may end up doubling up ministries. Vasant now has oversight for 4 portfolios. He has trade, industry, communications…is a minister in the ministry of finance as well as oversight for health. That is madness.
Griffith now has two ministries.
Ask yourself, have these two ministries been merged? Is he now drawing one or two salaries? One or two Perm Secretaries?
Constituencies, according to our laws, must be represented by MPs…not senators. Consider too if she loses more MPs she can no longer pass laws in the lower house without Opposition support.
But Rhoda, what I’m looking at is if she keeps firing the elected Ministers, thay will end up with a Senate full and there’d be no need for the lower house, help me here
Beginning to wonder if the alternative will be any better. Power and large sums of money seem to do crazy things with people’s heads.
No worries….i used to think it was from the election date too and got schooled myself. Given that the PM has until late August next year to call an election date, she has a lot of time to play with. And given her Cabinet….lots more missteps ahead.
Doesn’t matter.They will still lose.
I shall heed Rhoda and Savitri’s messages as they know a lot more than i do.
Ok, cool Rhoda…thanks for clearing up.
Technically, Savitri, an election is due five years after the first sitting of the Parliament…not the election date as we usually think. And this govt had its first sitting in June. So sometime between June – september of 2015 is when a date is constitutionally due.
The games people play,the games thoery,what is your favourite board game ,or better yet wheel a deal
I read it afterwards Savitri. No offence meant.
Seat and head vacant,Bad combination.
No by election can call at this time. We are less than a year away from a constitutionally due election. So the seat will remain vacant. The President revokes his appointment as Minister and the Speaker of the House must note that the seat is now vacant.
If he resigns as MP does that mean Arima/ Aripo will remain without representation for the year? Besides she hasn’t called the election date as yet.
They can’t call a by-election in an election year, or within 12 months of an election being due.
i wonder what was the reason for her putting on an African outfit to read out her message to the nation about anil. ah set of mind games they playing. madame PM you did not give us any Emancipation gift here. you simply playing games.why didn’t you do this before you have the power to hire and fire. YOU FAILED.
OK cool. Well I kinda figure and makes some sense. A by-election must be held in 6months or something so right? Will take us almost into the next election.
No by-election in an election year, a caretaker MP can be appointed.
That in no way sounds like someone who is genuinely sorry. Anyway didn’t know he resigned as MP too. So will there be a by election?
Only the elected benefits from every election.
Aah, I see.
Jonathan Cumberbatch, she doesn’t have to mention a caretaker MP, the COP has, Anil fought the election on a COP ticket, it is their responsibility and we wait to see who they will appoint.
Any word on his resignation as MP? She did not mention a caretaker.
“Having done absolutely no wrong whatsoever, having not been mentioned not even once in a flawed Central Audit Report, in which the Auditors at the Ministry of Finance deviated from the Audit norms, by not allowing the relevant departments in question to respond to their findings and thus allowing to enter into the public domain an erroneous report.” Now he’s trying to blame employees at the MoF. With all this time on his hands he should persuade his friends, Marchan and Creed to respond to the report findings.
Once again, I must thank BC Pires for this wonderful observation about politicians ‘serving the country/the people’ …..’as the bull serves the cow’…
I knew it was coming on Emancipation Day…now we the citizens need to truly emancipate ourselves of all the crooks sitting in Parliament
Well and truly long overdue.
He just couldn’t come to terms with the fact that he would not see out his Term in Government.
After all that talk while he had his Show on Gayelle and blasting former Minister of Sports Gary Hunt…now he has come and done even WORSE.
GOOD RIDDANCE I SAY!
In truth and in fact he has Done Nothing…only laying the blame
Its almost amazing that he even bothered to write the letter… after all he still insist he did nothing wrong… smh
I thank the PM and Anil for this wonderful Emancipation gift to TNT. Good riddance!
countdown for them has begun…..hopefully 2015 they out…..but I only hope that we wont get an exchange instead……lol
This is an admission of failure on the government side,may be Brian Lara might be the new minister of sport,Ganga is a poor choice,being a good sportsman does not make you a good sport minister,or a good medical doctor does not make you a good minister of health ask Fuad .the to solve this impasse is to go back to the polls ask for a new mandate.The current happening shows that confidence is being lost every day,in 4 years 20 dismissals either by way or bowled or caught in the slips,Gypsy’s captain the ship is sinking .
Rupert”sleepin on heself” Griffith.Hmmmmmmm.!!
hahahahahha…Rupert Griffith holding on for the he has two portfolios
A certain boy praisin d PM on her stance against Corrupt Ministers and thanked her for “firing Anil” and his minions all applaud in blind agreement…
Lasana,who will be the next sports minister,’senator Daren Ganga’?
This is is comic relief,the ras loquear ,the facts speaks for it self,this man is so infused with power,it is flying in his face,yet refuses to accept the inevitable,may be he needs 2 more pull before he catches him self.The loss of power he cannot deal with,The referee has given him the red card,time to leave the playing field,Adios Amigos
The difference between a hint and a hindrance is the dance of lies and corruption that defines setback as ‘truth told’.
they have assigned a person who cant even do one job to do two…..yeah madam PM
Who in this Country ever commit white collar crime and ever make a jail? Doh make me laugh here today, Steups!!
And…… if you are not responsible….. identify who is….. or does the Westminster system prevent that?
The truth not being sought? It would be great if you told the truth. But the fact is that the full truth is never told.
Again.. He makin ah jail?
*Sigh* bye bye Anal…Anil, I mean…Anil
Interesting.
That resignation couldn’t be for real. Clown!
Its over look for your next fix nah!