Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley is expected to be back at work today after yesterday’s absence from the Parliament due to ill health, following a dental procedure, it was confirmed by Government.
House Speaker Bridgid Annisette-George at the start of yesterday’s Parliament session said the Prime Minister had asked to be excused yesterday due to ill health. Later, she said Rowley would be absent from Parliament’s Finance Committee deliberations on the 2016 Budget. The five-day committee meeting began at the Parliament yesterday following winding-up of Budget debate by Finance Minister Colm Imbert yesterday afternoon.
The Finance Committee allows for closer scrutiny of Budget contents — allocation, expenditure and other aspects — regarding the 41 ministries, particularly by the Opposition. The Prime Minister’s Office was listed third for scrutiny yesterday after the National Security Ministry and T&T Police Service.
But Speaker Annisette-George announced deferral of scrutiny of the OPM due to Rowley’s “unavoidable absence” until today. Opposition Whip Roodal Moonilal said: “We wish him a speedy recovery and would defer to Thursday (today), depending on his health.”
Leader of People’s National Movement (PNM) Government Business in the Lower House, Camille Robinson-Regis, said Government had requested the deferral and she was happy the Opposition had agreed.
Moonilal said when the Opposition was asked to defer discussion on the OPM, the team was unaware up to that point that Rowley was ill and was not aware of the reason for his illness “but we will defer (the OPM matter) until (Thursday) and we wish him a speedy recovery.”
Communication Minister Maxie Cuffie replied to a texted query on whether Rowley, 65, had the flu, was doing a procedure or was dealing with a prior condition. Cuffie said: “He is fine. Just had a routine dental procedure.”