'This is not about us' - new T'dad PM

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):

Days after leading the People's Partnership coalition to victory in the May 24 general election, Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar on Friday revealed her 26-member Cabinet team.

In making the announcement, the newly installed Prime Minister said the team possesses diverse skills and expertise. She also sought to warn ministers that they should neither become 'aloof' nor accept mediocrity.

"Never become aloof ... stay grounded, keep connected to the people, earn their respect," she said, adding there is no room for personal egos.

"This is not about us, it is about the people, they have the power to dismiss us," she said, warning also that "there is no room for arrogance" and no "time for personal agendas".

Taking the oath

Among those taking the oath before President George Maxwell Richards was the Vice-President of the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA), Austin Jack Warner, who is also chairman of the United National Congress. He was sworn in as Minister of Works and Transport, while former head of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence force, Brigadier John Sandy was named National Security Minister.

The former president of the powerful Oilfield Workers Trade Union (OWTU), Errol Mcleod, was named Minister of Labour, Small and Macro Enterprise Development.

Former Central Bank governor and leader of the Congress of the People (COP) party, Winston Dookeran, was sworn in as Minister of Finance, while former independent senator Mary King was given the portfolio of Planning, Economic and Social Restructuring and Gender Affairs.

Controversial former High Court judge Hubert Volney was sworn in as Minister of Justice, while attorney Prakash Ramadhar was named Minister of Legal Affairs.

Former speaker of the Trinidad and Tobago parliament, Dr Rupert Griffith was named Minister of Tourism, while the new Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs is the former national swimmer and talk show host, Anil Roberts.

Former calypso monarch, Winston 'Gypsy' Peters, is the Minister of Arts and Culture, while the Minister of Public Utilities is Emmanuel George.