LOOK WHO IS BACK

DR. Terrence Farrell, who in January 2018 quit in frustration from a high-powered Government board, is back on another official committee.

When he resigned as chair of the National Economic Advisory Board, Farrell said he was “not satisfied with the progress” the group had made.

He said the economic challenges were “serious” and “require urgent, concerted action based on sensible plans which have the highest priority and should be implemented with focus and resolve.”

He said he did not have the patience to work in the public service environment.

Talk along the corridors of power was that Farrell was extremely frustrated that the board’s work was not being considered by the Government.

But now, exactly six years later, Farrell is back on a Government-appointed advisory committee, this one on constitutional reform.

He would again operate in a public service setting and this assignment is expected to be equally challenging.

In a recent newspaper article, he wrote that the constitution is “sorely in need of reform” and listed several recommendations.

The team, headed by Barendra Sinanan, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, has been mandated to report within three months.

After that, according to Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley, there would be public discussions on constitutional reform.

The national constitution has not been revised since the 1976 Republican version.

The matter has been advocated over the years and was considered by the administrations of Patrick Manning and Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

The country’s staunchest campaigner was former Prime Minister Basdeo Panday, who passed away on January 1.

Panday had pressed for a radical makeover of the constitution, with more people’s power.

Rowley said there would be a national constitution conference in June, suggesting that he wants to railroad the matter before the next general election.

There would be great interest in whether Farrell has the patience to carry through with this extensive exercise or if he would again chuck the job.