Attorney General Reginald Armour said a Cabinet Note is before a Sub-Committee, which is tasked with implementing government policy on the use of fireworks by the public.
Armour, in a GML report, said that legislation will seek to regulate the industry—from imports to storage, to handling and use.
The AG said the State’s policy was formulated following extensive consultations with stakeholders. He said it aims to end what he called “the unregulated, irresponsible and inconsiderate use of fireworks.”
However, the AG’s comments have been described as ‘hogwash’ by the coordinator of Fireworks Coalition of Trinidad and Tobago (FACTT), Roger Marshall.
Marshall contends that a year and a half after government initially signalled its intention to act on fireworks use in T&T, it is nowhere closer.
He asked: “Why all these delays? Why do citizens have to go on hurting? Why does the AG not respond until he is put under extreme pressure? That’s my fear; that’s my concern.
“It just sounds like hogwash coming out of the Attorney General’s Office and it won’t be the first time. We are often misled by information they give us.”
Marshall also noted that stronger interim measures should have been put in place until the law is passed.