Today, through my esteemed and visionary legal team led by Mr. Anand Ramlogan SC called upon the Privy Council to dissect the independence of the National Insurance Board’s chairman appointment and determine the merit of what can truly be considered to be “independent” in these types of crucial state-controlled offices. While this matter began as an exploration of the merits of Mr. Patrick Ferreira to serve as the Independent Chair of the NIB, after previously serving at the whims of the PNM government, as Mr. Ferreira was ousted from the position with the demise of the PNM government, the case remains relevant given the discussion being held today over the composition of State Controlled Entities.
The foundation of any successful government has always been its leadership, not only in the composition of the Cabinet, but also state boards which demand the sharpest minds and experience, not the loudest identity debates. Take Mr. Chrisendath Mahabir’s reappointment to the Salaries Review Commission earlier this month, his record in law and public administration speaks louder than any racial label, hence the reason he has served in that office since 2019. Yet, voices like Marvin Gonzales cry foul, pointing to demographics and claiming underrepresentation, despite not having the same reservations towards the Mahabir-controlled SRC Board that recommended salary increases for himself and his PNM cohorts, while they were sitting in government.
While representation can matter, obsessing over ethnicity at the expense of expertise is a recipe for mediocrity. Kamla Persad Bissessar recognized the need for boards to deliver results, not ones that check boxes for racial political points.
When we look to the United States, where Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives have stumbled, we can clearly see how their push for sidelined merit has led to backlash, for lowering hiring and performance standards in both their public and private sectors. And Kamla has made it clear but prior to and following the general election, that Trinidad and Tobago will not fall into this trap.
Her recent appointments, like the boards of Caribbean Airlines and the Water and Sewerage Authority, showcase technical prowess and governance savvy. The hiring process used was clearly for skill, not skin, ensuring these boards are engines of progress, not experiments in tokenism.
The PNM’s fixation on race reeks of desperation, following their own failed experimentation over the past year. Seeing their own supporters completely abandon the PNM party for their attempt at tokenism, they now resort to racial dog-whistling. The real issue is that because these appointees are eminently qualified, the PNM is forced to fall back on their old tricks, as when they can’t attack merit, they simply stir the pot with ethnicity, and it is a distraction we cannot afford.
While diversity enriches our perspective, the government must lead with merit. The appointments of the current UNC administration reflect a vision for cohesive governance, with people who share their goals and values, but more importantly, represent diverse talent that aligns with our national vision.
Whatever the outcome of today’s Privy Council hearing, it should serve as a reminder to demand independence and excellence in government appointments. As such, we must reject the PNM’s divisive tactics and learn from global missteps like overzealous DEI. Because the UNC has demonstrated that they are there to serve all citizens, no matter what they look like, so why should it matter what the government looks like, if their goal is being reached?
Best regards,
Ravi Balgobin Maharaj
