Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has warned her ministers against being arrogant and aloof and to ensure they serve the people or else the people would dismiss the People's Partnership Government. Calling for honesty among the new Cabinet, Persad Bissessar instructed her 26-member team after they took the oath of office yesterday at the Knowsley Building, Port-of-Spain. She later held her first Cabinet meeting with the team at the Office of the Prime Minister. The 26-member Cabinet includes 18 elected MPs and six senator ministers.
Among the non-elected members who are ministers are economist Mary King, former UNC St Augustine MP Vasant Bharath, Brigadier John Sandy, former UNC general secretary Fazal Karim, UWI lecturer Therese Cornelius and former Transport Commissioner Emmanuel George. The 11 non-Cabinet ministers include a majority of new MPs. Minister in the Ministry of Education Lincoln Douglas, absent yesterday, will be sworn in another time. Persad-Bissessar's Cabinet does not have an Information Minister. She said yesterday that Information would be retained in the Office of the Prime Minister, with "someone there with responsibility for so doing."
Wearing a bright orange suit, red and black platform shoes with red and gold jewelry, Persad-Bissessar told the team: "Each day you are expected to delegate all your energies to ensure the people's needs are being addressed. All of us are held accountable to the people. We accept no mediocrity... there must be no room for arrogance. "We have to be ever mindful that the nation is looking at us expectantly," she said. "No one out there expects excuses, they want results...lead by example, follow and learn to listen. As of now, each of us is on trial, we begin to be tested as of this moment. "My caution is this–never be aloof, never lose sight of the true purpose of the position you hold, stay grounded, keep connected with the people, earn their respect by the way you serve them." "The people are the Government...take these words and frame them on your desk."
Persad-Bissessar warned her team against wearing party symbols in the conduct of business. She urged them to serve every person, regardless of party affiliation. She said she had forgone the coat of arms on a state car, using the vehicle marked PM 1 instead. She said by this act she had kept her first promise. Persad- Bissessar called for honesty to be hallmark of the Government. She said she would be a leader who listened and made decisions based on collaboration. She said there would be no room for personal agendas or ego and no opportunity for self-glorification. "This is not about us, it's about the people... they have the power to dismiss us at any time," she said.
Speaking to reporters after, Persad-Bissessar said Brigadier John Sandy was chosen for National Security on merit, competence and his calm personality, as well as his Defence Force experience. "He was a good fit," she added. She said Sandy's first job would be to provide a vehicle and security for former Prime Minister Patrick Manning. She said Manning did not ask for security. The Prime Minister said the House Speaker would come from "outside" the Cabinet. MP Dr Fuad Khan will be Deputy Speaker. She said no decision was made on the start of the Parliament, although June 14 had been reported. She said the Parliament staff was seeking more time.
Persad-Bissessar said local government polls would be held on time, by the October deadline. She also said Cornelius was chosen for Health because of her human resource experience. Persad-Bissessar also said she would stay at the official residence from time to time and would open the building to the children of the nation. "It will become the people's house for anyone who wishes to visit," she added. She said Manning should be given a decent time in which to vacate the House. Persad-Bissessar said the President declined the offer to stay there.
Jack Stays with FIFA
Works Minister Jack Warner's Fifa post would not be affected by his new job, he said yesterday. Speaking after being appointed, Warner said he would probably resign from Fifa committees when he goes away next week. He said he would also keep the vice-presidency of TTFA. Warner said he would explore using the PBR one way in the morning and one way in the evening. But he did not think the rapid rail project was a top priority. He said all contracts signed within the last two months and after the election would be reviewed.