Chairman of the Regulated Industries Commission Dawn Callender called on people at a public consultation not to rely on politicians to speak on their behalf over proposed hike in electricity rates.
Callender was speaking at at RIC’s public consultation at JRD Mohammed Convention Centre at St Croix Road in Princes Town on Saturday.
Her comment was met with objection from Moruga/Tableland MP Michelle Benjamin who accused Callender of being out of touch with the living expenses of people in some communities.
"We were elected to represent the people. Some people cannot afford to pay their bills. I pay their bills, so I earn the right to speak on their behalf. Many people cannot afford to pay the increase. Many people cannot afford to buy food," Benjamin said.
"You are listening Ms Callender, but you are not hearing. This exercise makes no sense because you came here with your mind already made up. The RIC needs to be in touch with real people. We, in the UNC, represents real people with real issues. People cannot afford the increase."
Benjamin said many constituents could not afford transportation to be at the consultation. She said earlier comments by Callender saddened her.
Another Princes Town MP Barry Padarath yet again called on the Regulated Industries Commission (RIC) to hold its hands until reliable, and variable data is collected on the proposed price review for the electricity transmission and distribution sector.
Padarath claimed the RIC is using data from 2009 which does not reflect the reality of current household budgeting.
He also questioned the process used to host the consultations.
[caption id="attachment_1007553" align="alignnone" width="1024"] A member in the audience speaks at the Regulated Industries Commission public consultation in JRD Mohammed Conference Centre in Princes Town, on Saturday. - Marvin Hamilton[/caption]
The RIC, established in 1998, is the independent regulator of utility service providers.
Padarath threw jabs at the three panellists, Callender, executive director Glen Khan and consultant Dr Michelle Salandy, an economist.
He said while Callender refers to the RIC as an "economic-thinking organisation," it should also be seen as an independent organisation.
He added that Callender and Salandy previously held government-appointed positions. Callender sat for two terms as a director of the Airports Authority of TT, and Salandy served as a RIC commissioner.
"How can we have faith this process is transparent and independent when it is himself to himself, herself for herself?" he asked.
The MP referred to an advertisement by the Ministry of Planning and Development on the household budget survey and survey of living conditions (February 2023- January 2024), adding that people’s salaries have not been going up. Everything else has been going up.
At previous consultations, attendees disrupted the event, but despite several disagreements, the meeting continued.
Padarath noted the heavy police presence at Saturday's event and assured Callender that she
