Election prep on!
The 2020 general election year has started with yet another Cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley who has changed the helms of a handful of key “delivery” ministries.
The Prime Minister’s Office announced the changes early yesterday morning as the Old Year rolled out, stating that Rowley had advised President Paula-Mae Weekes to make the changes effective today.
It’s widely believed—in and out of the ruling PNM—that the changes are geared to strengthen ministries and prepare for upcoming elections. The five-year term ends September 7.
Rowley has taken on the additional portfolio of the Planning and Development, shifting former minister Camille Robinson-Regis to Social Development and Family Services. The former minister for that ministry, Cherrie-Ann Crichlow-Cockburn, was removed and appointed a minister in the Ministry of Planning and Development.
The Prime Minister has also given frontline ministers Rohan Sinanan in Works and Transport and Kazim Hosein in Rural Development and Local Government Kazim, assistance with the appointment of Parliamentary Secretaries.
In that move, he has brought PNM general secretary, Senator Foster Cummings, into the ministerial picture by assigning him to assist Hosein in Rural Development and Local Government.
The specific changes are:
• Revoking the assignment of Camille Robinson-Regis as Minister of Planning and Development and reassigning her as Minister of Social Development and Family Services.
• Appointing Dr Keith Rowley as Minister of Planning and Development in addition to his duties as Prime Minister.
• Removing Cherrie-Ann Crichlow-Cockburn as Minister of Social Development and Family Services and reassigning her as Minister in the Ministry of Planning and Development.
• Revoking the assignment of Adrian Leonce as Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Public Utilities and reassigning him as Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Works and Transport.
• Appointing Senator Foster Cummings as Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government.
Preparing for elections
It is the latest reshuffle in the Rowley cabinet which has experienced frequent changes—as did the past People’s Partnership administration—occurring every year during the PNM’s term. This is also another stint in the Planning Ministry for Rowley who held that portfolio as part of Patrick Manning’s PNM administration (2002-07).
It’s the latest situation where Rowley has taken on a ministerial portfolio. Other instances include acting in Public Administration this year, when ex-minister Marlene McDonald was fired, and in Housing in the April 2018 reshuffle.
Communication Minister Donna Cox said she didn’t know the reason for the latest changes but noted that such changes are within the Prime Minister’s sole purview. She was also uncertain if Dr Rowley was in Trinidad or Tobago for the New Year.
Top PNM officials said the changes were simply to prepare for general elections and ensure that delivery of social services and other facilities are “more effective for elections.”
General elections can be called at any time before or after the term ends in September. The furthest date is three months after the term’s end in December 2020. They said the PNM’s election team is working on a schedule of elections “anytime after March “, which is the deadline for delivery of several major projects, including the Curepe Interchange, hospitals in south and east Trinidad and other promised items.
Leonce: All hands on deck
Camille Robinson-Regis told the Guardian Media: “I’m happy to serve wherever the Prime Minister wants me to. I look forward to working in this new portfolio which is very important for directly touching people’s lives.
“I was happy to serve in Planning where we made strides and had notable achievements. I don’t at all see this change as a demotion! This new ministry is a lot of work, it’s people-focused. I’m in a position to touch lives directly and I continue to be grateful for the confidence the Prime Minister has reposed in me.”
On Robinson-Regis’ new post, PNM officials noted the Archbishop’s message to strengthen families. They said Planning had worked with Finance on the last few budgets and strategic plans and Rowley’s input would include implementing plans formulated under Robinson-Regis’s leadership.
Laventille East MP Leonce, an engineer, said of his Works and Transport posting: “I’m excited to support the Minister and see how much work we can get done for the Trinidad and Tobago people. Maybe it’s time for all hands on deck now. A lot of work is required to be done. Right now I’m at Public Utilities handing over that responsibility and Thursday I’ll be at Works.”
Minister of Works and Transport Sinanan said: “There’s nothing new about having a Parliamentary Secretary in Works. The UNC’s tenure saw nine Works Ministers. We welcome Mr Leonce. We’ve had a big programme in recent years and next year a lot is on the drawing board, ongoing and coming into play. I know we’ll have a good working relationship as he and I have had that.”
Cummings said: “I’ve always given full support to the Prime Minister wherever he wants me to serve. I look forward to the new task. Fulltime public service comes with personal sacrifice but I’m prepared to do it.”
Minister of Rural Development and Local Government Hosein said he was happy for Cummings’ help, but added: “I’ll reserve comment until I receive the instruction and he’s sworn in.”
For Cumming’s first ministerial posting, he’s expected to take the oath of office tomorrow or Friday. Crichlow-Cockburn didn’t answer calls. Sources claimed she was concerned but “is a team player.”