Mayor Announces No Funds for Civil Servants, Minister Refutes Claim

The Mayor of Port of Spain, Chinua Alleyne, stirred controversy on Friday after claiming that no additional funds were allocated for civil servant salaries for June. According to the Mayor, the City Corporation, which typically dispenses salaries three days before the end of each month, has not paid any of its civil servants for June 2026. This situation impacts a total of 446 employees, including over 180 City Police officers.

Alleyne highlighted significant shortfalls in the City Corporation’s finances, including nearly $13 million for salaries and COLA, nearly $4 million for garbage collection, and over $1 million for wages and COLA. The Mayor questioned the Ministry’s provisions for daily rated worker backpay and wage increases amid these financial strains.

However, these claims were promptly refuted by the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Khadijah Ameen. In response to questions from 103.1fm, Ameen confirmed that funds for civil servant salaries at the Port of Spain City Corporation had already been released following approval of the Mid-Year Review.

Ameen took a swipe at the Corporation, accusing it of ‘playing petty politics’ and insisting that workers must receive their salaries on time. This ongoing disagreement underscores a broader financial tension within the City Corporation.