Trinidad and Tobago declares CHOGM holiday

Port of Spain, Nov.26 (ANI): The Government of Trinidad and Tobago has ordered all schools and public offices here to be closed on Friday in anticipation of the city playing host to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh is expected here later in the day from Washington after completing a successful visit.

The Ministry of Education has instructed all schools to be closed.

According to the website trinidadexpress.com, a circular from the Office of the Prime Minister has stated that all ministries in proximity to CHOGM activities will close for the.

The judiciary has also decided to close the Port of Spain High Court and the Port of Spain Magistrates Court on that day.

Most of the ministries are situated in the capital city - Finance, Planning, Housing, Works and Transport, Attorney General, Sports, Public Utilities, Energy, Trade, Public Administration.

Only managers of the Parliament would be coming out to work in order to prepare to host Secretary General William Shija of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, CHOGM's sister body.

Trinidadians here have welcomed the undeclared holiday, the third this week.

Meanwhile, food vendors at the Breakfast Shed in Port of Spain have expressed anger over not being able to serve or offer their wares to CHOGM delegates.

The shed, is located next to the Waterfront and the Hyatt Regency hotel on Wrightson Road, is regarded by vendors as the 'number one place in Trinidad and Tobago where you could get real Creole Food'.

This is Christmas time, and everybody want to make to make a dollar but like they (Government) do not understand that," said a vendor.

Another vendor said the decision by the Government to issue only two passes to the vendors was a complete "joke". (ANI)