Trinidad and Tobago’s New Cabinet Grapples with Visible Strains and Growing Expectations

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s fresh Cabinet, assembled with fanfare and reformist zeal, has swiftly entered the public eye. Yet instead of showcasing coordinated action, weekly press briefings have started to reveal a struggle to synchronise vision with delivery. With growing disillusionment over persistent WASA dysfunction, diplomatic unease, and internal discord, the government risks undermining its early promise.

Padarath and the WASA Crisis

Barry Padarath, who moved from Princes Town to Couva South in April and took charge of the Public Utilities ministry, has found himself grappling with a familiar state enterprise crisis: the Water and Sewerage Authority.

Padarath inherited a bureaucratic maze and a workforce jittery over restructuring. A visit to WASA’s St Joseph headquarters revealed employees relieved at job security—but uneasy about pending executive cuts. Padarath assured that only about 34 senior positions would be affected, immediately citing annual savings of roughly $30 million.

Critics, including unions and former officials, argue that the decision reverses urgent reforms and risks perpetuating inefficiencies. A PSA leader defended the intervention, describing it as a genuine effort to “improve water supply” rather than mere political theatre.

More worryingly, WASA's new board, headed by Roshan Babwah, indicated an urgent need for structural clarity. They have been given 30 days to outline a “comprehensive plan” to fix chronic shortages, particularly in rural areas. Padarath also challenged claims that 61 percent of citizens enjoy continuous water access, referencing a WASA report showing that figure at just 27 percent—exposing the utility’s deep systemic flaws.

Oversight Vacuum and Emerging Incompetence

These developments illustrate a broader challenge: political attention without coherent execution. WASA’s decline stems from outdated systems, bureaucratic inertia, and a perpetual tug-of-war between technocratic reform and union demands. A series of cabinet-level mix-ups have only heightened public concern.

Press conferences have become the government’s default venue for explanation. Yet statements devoid of clear timelines or policy frameworks risk being perceived as reactive rather than strategic, especially under a mandate tied to Vision 2030. The looming second VNR will judge the government’s ability to transform such rhetoric into measurable action.

Key Appointments in Focus

• Wayne Sturge, Minister of Defence, faces escalating regional tension. He must now balance public reassurance with sober strategic planning—deploying intelligence reforms, strengthening civilian oversight, and avoiding overblown declarations.

• Sean Sobers, Foreign and CARICOM Affairs, has a diplomatic void to fill. His low profile risks undermining T&T’s standing in CARICOM debates on migration, climate cooperation, and economic alliances. A proactive diplomacy desk is overdue.

• Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar anchors this precarious moment. Weekly press briefings still reverberate with vigor—but they lack consistent translation into performance indicators, policy detail, or inter-ministerial coordination.

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Recommendations for Corrections

Office	Recommendation
Minister Padarath	Release and implement WASA reform roadmap in 30 days; enhance public communication via a dashboard for service delivery and cost savings.
Minister Sturge	Initiate comprehensive security strategy integrating civil society and public awareness programs; de-escalate regional rhetoric.
Minister Sobers	Relaunch CARICOM engagement plan; share updates on bilateral negotiations and regional initiatives.
Prime Minister	Launch Performance Delivery Unit; overhaul weekly briefings to include metrics and clear timelines for all ministries.

Conclusion – Performance Must Match Promise

High-profile appointments and constitutional changes offered hope. But early evidence suggests the Cabinet remains more talk than action. Whether under scrutiny from the second VNR or an electorate craving visible competence, the government must pivot swiftly toward tangible outcomes.

A pivot remains possible. The ingredients—political will, technocratic bandwidth, and public patience—are still on the table. The question is whether this Cabinet will deliver or simply walk a tightrope of unmet expectations.