AND PAULA LINDO
THE ceremonial opening of the 13th Republican Parliament saw fanfare that could rival Carnival.
Gathered at Woodford Square, Port of Spain, hours before the ceremony at the Red House began, hundreds of supporters of all parties came out in their numbers and colours eager to greet their ministers, representatives and members of Parliament.
Abercromby Street erupted in a chorus of songs, cheers and screams as Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar arrived around 1.20 pm. After greeting her enamoured supporters with a bright smile she told the media, “God is in his heaven and all is well on earth. I feel great, thank you all and thanks to the people of TT. Love you.”
[caption id="attachment_1156702" align="alignnone" width="1024"] St Augustine MP Khadijah Ameen greets supporters at Woodford Square, Abercromby Street, Port of Spain, on May 23.[/caption]
Her arrival wasn’t the only one that caused a stir. One could hear the name of the Opposition Leader, Pennelope Beckles, being chanted from a street away.
Tobago East MP David “Thomo” Thomas got a celebratory reception as he was welcomed by Tobago People’s Party (TPP) supporters, some of whom told Newsday they woke up as early as 3 am to be early for the event.
In a show of solidarity, some TPP supporters also showed their love upon the midday arrival of Minister in the Ministry of Housing Philip Alexander who returned the gesture as he hugged, shook hands and took photos with the crowd around him.
Even foreign leaders were eagerly welcomed. Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley’s quick entrance ignited the crowd in a manner that could rival the excitement seen during Persad-Bissessar’s.
[caption id="attachment_1156701" align="alignnone" width="684"] Tobago House of Assembly Chief Secretary Farley Augustine makes his way to the Red House amid cheers from supporters on Abercromby Street, Port of Spain, on May 23.[/caption]
St Augustine councillor Jada Roopnarine expressed her full confidence in the new administration having been a councillor under the UNC-led People's Partnership government in 2010.
“Back then services were provided to the people, we delivered to the community, service was at its highest. Now that my prime minister is back, I know they will deliver again.
"The calls for enhanced education, infrastructure, social welfare, everything that the people want in this country, they will now feel comfortable knowing they will get assistance from this government.”
TPP supporter Arnel Des Vignes told Newsday after the wave of crime that plagued the island during the tenure of the previous administration, the people are looking forward to greater autonomy moving forward.
“We’ve reached a stage in Tobago’s life where we fell that we should be in possession of our own theory…so I must say it brings a level of dignity and pride to the Tobago people to be in Trinidad to witness this.”
[caption id="attachment_1156700" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Chief Justice Ivor Archie, left, leads members of the Judiciary to the Red Hou
