Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister-elect Dr Keith Rowley shows his inked finger after voting in yesterday’s general election. Rowley led his People’s National Movement to victory over the Kamla Persad-Bissessar led People’s Partnership coalition.
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – Dr Keith Rowley will be sworn in as the sixth prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago on Wednesday following his People’s National Movement (PNM) victory in the general election on Monday.
Rowley, 66, will take the oath of office before President Anthony Carmona at a ceremony to be held at Queen’s Hall at 1.30 pm (local time).
Rowley, who met with President Carmona on Tuesday, said that the Attorney General will be an elected Member of Parliament.
The PNM won 23 of the 41 seats contested on Monday, defeating the coalition People’s Partnership government of Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar.
The Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce in a congratulatory message said it was looking “forward to forging successful links and collaborating with this newly-installed administration, by ensuring, in the main, that the interests of the business community are served in a manner that benefits our valued members and the country as a whole.
“We urge Dr Rowley and his new administration to be proactive in placing critical issues on the national policy agenda, early in its tenure. In fact, all officials, elected or appointed to represent our people in the next Parliament, must do their respectful part in re-focusing all efforts on key matters of national interest and working for the common good of our country.”
The private sector group said that global indicators suggest that challenging times lie ahead for local economy, while crime and corruption are but a few of the other concerns requiring speedy and informed attention.
“We remain confident that through healthy exchanges of ideas and views among government, business, labour, academia and civil society, we can continue to secure our nation’s good standing in the future.”
“The Trinidad and Tobago Chamber pledges its support for the new government, and stands ready to continue to work towards realising the growth and development of our beloved country.”
Meanwhile, the newly formed Alliance of Independents (AOI) has extended congratulations to Rowley saying it has taken note of the “nationalistic tone of the acceptance speech.
“The AOI supports this stance, and encourages all persons to reset their individual perspectives to focus on Trinidad and Tobago. The AOI also wishes to express its appreciation to outgoing Prime Minister, Kamla Persad Bissessar for her contribution to national development.
“We urge the new Opposition to ensure that they take an active role in the country’s participatory governance, whilst providing the requisite support to the new Government where necessary, whilst also maintaining a measure of vigilance,” said the AOI, comprised mainly of disgruntled members of the Congress of the People(COP) that was once the second biggest partner in the coalition government.