Several well known frontline PNM faces will form part of Dr Keith Rowley’s Cabinet which will be sworn in at 10 am today.
The ceremony will take place at Queen’s Hall where Rowley was sworn in as Prime Minister on Wednesday after Monday’s 23-18 general election victory in favour of the PNM. The People’s Partnership’s 18 seats will form the Opposition.
A number of candidates who were elected in Monday’s general poll have been invited to today’s ceremony. Yesterday, however, many of them, indicated they didn’t know which portfolio they were getting. Also invited to today’s function, are several non-elected PNMites who will be appointed as senator ministers.
Rowley had said during the campaign he would have a smaller Cabinet—about 18 to 20 members maximum—with streamlining of several currently existing ministries.
He also said few elected MPs would be in the Cabinet—approximately 11—and the Cabinet may have about eight appointed members. Those who are not in Cabinet are expected to see to constituencies full time, according to statements made on the PNM campaign trail.
PNM officials said those expected to attend today’s swearing-in included Arima MP Anthony Garcia; Diego Martin North East MP Colm Imbert; Diego Martin Central MP Darryl Smith; Port-of-Spain North MP Stuart Young; La Horquetta/Talparo MP Maxie Cuffie; Tobago West MP Shamfa Cudjoe; Port-of-Spain South MP Marlene McDonald; Arouca/ Maloney MP Camille Robinson-Regis; St Joseph MP Terrence Deyalsingh; Laventille West MP Fitzgerald Hinds; D’Abadie/O’Meara MP Ancil Antoine and Toco MP Glenda Jennings-Smith
Already sworn in on Wednesday were Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi and National Security Minister Edmund Dillon.
Although PNM Mayaro candidate Clarence Rambharat was defeated, sources have tipped him for the Agriculture Ministry since during the campaign Rowley had said Rambharat would be placed if the PNM formed the Government.
Rowley at an Arima PNM meeting had also said Garcia would be Education Minister.
PNM officials have noted that Imbert has served in Works, Health and Science and Tertiary Education during his past experience in government. Apart from these portfolios, he is also tipped for Energy.
PNM circles are also buzzing with speculation on who would be appointed as ambassadors, particularly to London, Canada and the US. Former Point Fortin MP Paula Gopee-Scoon is tipped for an ambassadorial post, sources said.
PNM sources are tipping retired banker Richard Young, father of Stuart Young, for a position. His name is being referred to in connection with Finance but a former captain of industry’s name is also being heard in connection with this.
Whether there would be two Finance Ministers, since Rowley said Local Government responsibilities would be shifted to Finance, was uncertain yesterday.
Speculation was rife at Wednesday’s swearing-in function that one of the guests present, national cricketing icon Brian Lara, might be tipped for Sport Minister. That could not be confirmed yesterday.
PNM production chief Andrew Gabriel at Wednesday’s function said he was not seeking any post or senatorship since he had to return to his business from which he had been away during the campaign.
Rowley had said during the campaign, a PNM Government would utilise links with the T&T/Caribbean diaspora overseas to market T&T’s good and services and harness talent in that forum.
There is also speculation about the 3,200-plus state board positions that have to be filled in coming weeks.
Meanwhile, Parliament officials said preparations were well underway for a ceremonial opening of the 11th Parliament. This is unlikely to be before September 18 since a number of sessions for freshman MPs have been scheduled up to then, it was confirmed.
Rowley has said the Parliament would convene in two weeks. In that forum, elected members will take the oath of office as an MP.
Parliamentary experts said elected members who were sworn in as ministers today could function immediately in ministries since the oath of office as an MP—to be administered on the first session of Parliament—pertained to a different forum.
They noted that in the past two administrations elected members were sworn in as ministers first and functioned in ministries for several weeks before being sworn in as MPs in Parliament.
PNM officials yesterday also tipped former attorney general Brigid Annisette-George for the post of House Speaker among two other names in the running. President’s House officials also confirmed that consideration of Independent senators—nine to be appointed—is also in the works.
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Yesterday PNM general secretary Ashton Ford said party chairman Franklin Khan would outline the process by which a new public relations officer would be appointed to replace Faris Al-Rawi who is now Attorney General.
Al-Rawi said at his swearing-in ceremony on Wednesday he would step down as party PRO. Khan didn’t answer calls on the issue. The PNM leadership also has to appoint a replacement for former Diego Martin regional corporation chairman Darryl Smith, who won the Diego Martin Central seat on Monday. He resigned on the day election results were given and informed the party leadership and corporation, it was confirmed.
The corporation has continued meetings up to yesterday without him and corporation vice-chairman Katty Christopher has acted in the interim, corporation officials said.