Despite rain in Port of Spain, protesters gathered opposite the Red House to express frustration over amendments to the procurement legislation.

It follows an extraordinary sitting of the Lower House this afternoon to approve amendments to the law.

The changes follow the granting of a three-month exemption order, which the government says was needed to secure services in time for the CARICOM Heads of Government meeting earlier this month.

Inside the Red House, Finance Minister Colm Imbert piloted four amendments, including validating two exemption orders and introducing a million-dollar threshold for goods and services exempted from procurement requirements.

Meanwhile Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar argued that amendments were not needed since the legislation already has provisions to procure goods and services under special circumstances.

Outside the Red House, demonstrators waved placards as they chanted “Rowley must go.”