Former Chief Operating Officer and Sector Head, Manufacturing, of the ANSA McAL Group, Gerry Brooks, is one of two people tipped to be appointed as the Minister of Finance in the Cabinet of the new People’s National Movement Government, which will be sworn in today at a ceremony at Queen’s Hall, St Ann’s. The other is economist and former Deputy Central Bank Governor Terrence Farrell.
CNC3 reported last night that Farrell is the one likely to be given the job by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley with Brooks, who resigned from ANSA McAL on April 30, being given the Trade portfolio.
Sources told the T&T Guardian last night Farrell was more likely to be appointed Finance Minister, with former central Bank Governor Ewart Williams likely to be appointed an adviser to the Minister of Finance.
New Diego Martin Central MP Darryl Smith was tipped to be the Housing Minister but some sources said that portfolio may be given to former Community Development Minister Marlene Mc Donald.
Deputy leader and PNM campaign manager for the September 7 general election Rohan Sinanan is to be appointed Minister of Works, while former Social Development Minister Christine Kangaloo is tipped to be appointed a senator and given a ministerial portfolio.
New D’Abadie/O’Meara MP, Brigadier Ancil Antoine, is expected to be appointed Minister of Public Utilities at a ceremony at Queen’s Hall this morning.
Former newspaper editor Maxie Cuffie, the new MP for La Horquetta/Talparo, is likely to be named the new Public Administration Minister. He is one of at least 15 new ministers to take their oath at today’s ceremony.
Prime Minister Rowley has said he would have fewer Cabinet ministers than the former Kamla Persad-Bissessar government. No Minister of Local Government will be appointed, as the portfolio will be administered by the Minister of Finance.
Rowley, who was sworn in with Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi and National Security Minister Brigadier Edmund Dillon on Wednesday, said the ministries would be reconfigured and would carry larger portfolios.
Former Fatima College principal and former T&T Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA) president Anthony Garcia is expected to be appointed Education Minister, as Rowley promised during the general election campaign. Garcia was elected as MP for Arima.
Sources said yesterday that defeated candidate for Mayaro, Clarence Rambharat, will be appointed a senator and given the Agriculture portfolio. Rowley had named him as his choice for that portfolio during the campaign.
Party chairman Franklin Khan is tipped to be given the new Rural Development Ministry. Khan served in a former PNM government as Minister of Works
Sources also said former president of the Public Services Association Jennifer Baptiste-Primus will be given the Labour portfolio.
They said Diego Martin Northeast MP Colm Imbert was being considered for the Energy portfolio.
Speculation is that former Attorney General Bridgid Annisette-George is being considered to be the Speaker of the House of Representatives.