THE $66 M GOAT ROTI MAN

ARTHUR Collins evidently likes goat roti.

So much so, according to opposition politician Dr. Roodal Moonilal, that Collins took home the tasty dish following a meeting at a San Fernando restaurant ahead of the 2015 general election.

Collins was then negotiating his services with the Kamla Persad-Bissessar Administration.

Talks did not go well, and Collins, a Washington-based political operative, later took his goods to the new Dr. Keith Rowley Government.

That administration quickly signed up Collins’ company, The Group DC LLC, to a consultancy at US $100,000 a month.

So far, the “government relations and strategic communications consulting firm” has pocketed TT $66 million, according to one calculation.

A new three-year contract, signed last January 24, would give Collins’ firm a further $24 million.

So what is Collins doing for the people of Trinidad and Tobago?

“Lobbying services,” according to the retainer contract with the Ministry of Finance.

Collins’ company is paid “to further promote investments, improve legislative relations and strengthen relations” with the United States.

It is not easy to figure out how the lobbyist has helped T&T in return for his astounding payday.

There has never been public accountability.

Trade between T&T and the US has remained at similar figures over the past decade.

International investors have deserted T&T – to a value of US $914 million in 2022 alone – as a result of a lack of confidence in the economy and other factors.

US dynamo ambassador Candace Bond, who took up duties in December 2022, has worked with primary American agencies in providing strategic security assistance to T&T.

The US authorities, led by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, called in Rowley in February for frank talks on rampant drug, gun and human trafficking and corrupt law enforcement officers.

The US routinely offers technical assistance on health, food security, energy, climate change, education and other matters.

Shante Moore, who was the US Deputy Chief of Mission, is credited with improving cooperation between both countries before Ms. Bond’s arrival.

More than that, hired political lobbying is associated with major countries and business corporations who seek to influence Washington’s policies for political and financial benefits.

This struggling tiny island state is not in that league.

In this guava season, how has Collins helped to improve the quality of life in T&T?

Maybe there would one day be an explanation.

In the meantime, we know that Collins’ life has changed dramatically since his goat roti days.