Laventille West MP Kareem Marcelle has challenged the independence of the Government-appointed committee responsible for reviewing Trinidad’s municipal boundaries, accusing the United National Congress (UNC) administration of selecting individuals with significant political connections to the ruling party.
Speaking during debate on the Municipal Corporations (Amendment) Bill, 2026, in Parliament on Wednesday, October 7, Marcelle questioned how the committee could be considered independent when several members had previously held prominent UNC positions.
He singled out Feeroz Khan, identifying him as the UNC’s national campaign manager during the 2025 general election and claiming he was expected to continue in that role for the upcoming local government elections.
Marcelle also pointed to Khan’s positions as chairman of the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) and programme manager of the Unemployment Relief Programme (URP), questioning his involvement in decisions affecting municipal boundaries.
He then turned his attention to Peter Kanhai, the UNC’s general secretary, who also serves as chairman of the National Carnival Commission (NCC).
Marcelle questioned why the Government had appointed a senior political party official to a committee expected to provide impartial recommendations.
Other members identified included Christlyn Moore, a former People’s Partnership Minister of Justice who has served as chairman of the Tobago Regional Health Authority, Cornelius Price, whom Marcelle linked to the former LifeSport Programme, and Denish Sankersingh, a former chairman of the Siparia Regional Corporation.
Marcelle argued that the collective political history of these individuals raised serious questions about the committee’s independence and the credibility of its recommendations.
The committee was appointed to review municipal boundaries as part of the Government’s proposed restructuring of local government, including the creation of additional municipal corporations.
Rural Development and Local Government Minister Khadijah Ameen has previously defended the committee, maintaining that its review is technical rather than political. She has also explained that the committee makes recommendations, while decisions on municipal boundaries ultimately rest with Cabinet and Parliament.
Marcelle, however, maintained that the political affiliations of committee members made it difficult for any fair-minded observer to regard the body as independent.
His criticism adds to the wider disagreement between the Government and Opposition over whether the proposed municipal restructuring represents legitimate local government reform or could provide a political advantage ahead of future elections.
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