THE Senate on April 16 approved a head and two deputy heads for the Trinidad and Tobago Revenue Authority (TTRA), despite the Opposition objecting and one Independent senator abstaining.
The House of Representatives had done likewise on April 12.
Finance Minister Colm Imbert moved motions to approve officials he had named under the Trinidad and Tobago Revenue Authority Act which then required Parliament's affirmative resolution.
Patsy Latchman-Atterbury now becomes TTRA Director General, while Helen Thomas-Brown and Riad Juman become Deputy Director General, respectively for domestic tax and customs and excise. For the vote on each position, the Opposition voted against while Independent Senators voted for except Sunity Maharaj who abstained.
The Senate first discussed Latchman-Atterbury's merits, approving her by 23 votes "for', six "against" and one "abstain." Senators then had a combined debate on the two deputies, and then voted separately on each one. In each debate with Imbert reading a detailed account of a nominee's qualifications and professional experience.
However Opposition Senator Wade Mark expressed deep reservations about Latchman-Atterbury, despite saying he had never met her.
"Withdraw this! This lady is unsuitable for the job. Recruit again! She is conflicted."
Mark alleged she was not qualified to do the job of leading the TTRA and alleged a conflict of interest between her professional past and heading the TTRA.
He said Latchman-Atterbury's professional experience included Scotiabank, KFC, Bermudez Biscuits and the US securities sector.
"What does that have to do with tax administration, revenue laws or customs and duties?" Saying she would be entering the Public Service which has a different ethic, culture and
responsibility than the private sector where Latchman-Atterbury had previously been, Mark said, "The minister needs to wheel again and come back." He said it was a "recipe for disaster to appoint someone with no expertise in tax collection not customs and excise.
Mark also objected to the post being on contract, which he said the minister has the power to terminate. "We reject the politicisation of the collection of revenues."
He also complained that Latchman-Atterbury as head of Grace Kennedy had once signed a contract to introduce a mutual fund to Jamaica with the United Trust Corporation headed by Nigel Edwards, with both now being proposed for the TTRA. "This is a conflict of interest." Mark claimed Latchman-Atterbury was Jamaican, but Imbert said said she was a Trinidad and Tobgao citizen. Mark said, "Reopen the nomination process. Get someone else!".
Independent Senator Dr Maria Dillon-Remy said Latchman-Atterbury had been outside of Trinidad and Tobago for 28 years. Dillon-Remy said Latchman-Atterbury will be tasked with a grave responsibility in heading an institution beset with controversy.
Opposition Senator Jayanti Lutchmedial-Ramdial said a resume reveals very limited information, as she advocated hearings for potential hirees just like the US Con
