Government ministers hit the ground running on May 5, visiting their offices at both existing and restructured ministries. Despite challenges in some areas, the ministers were eager to meet their staff and begin work.
One challenge faced was with the Office of the Prime Minister which at the time, did not seem to be in an appropriate condition for Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to move in, according to Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) Barry Padarath, who toured Whitehall on May 5.
He was accompanied by Foreign Affairs and OPM Parliamentary Secretary Nicholas Morris and the permanent secretary in the OPM. During the tour, Padarath expressed dissatisfaction with the state of the building, suggesting work needed to be done on the interior to fix issues with mould and flooding before Persad-Bissessar could set up her office there.
Finance Minister David Tancoo was greeted by permanent secretary Suzette Taylor-Lee Chee and the ministry’s executive team of permanent secretaries and deputy permanent secretaries when he arrived at the ministry on May 5.
A statement from the ministry said Tancoo received verbal briefings from the executive team as well as several briefing documents on a myriad of subjects under the purview of the Ministry of Finance. It said the minister expressed deep gratitude for the warm reception and comprehensive briefing and indicated that he looked forward to an excellent working relationship with the ministry’s staff and its stakeholders.
It said Tancoo later visited the various divisions and units of the ministry within the Ministry of Finance head office building, where he personally greeted members of staff.
Minister of the People and Social Development and Family Services Vandana Mohit said her first day in office was a good one.
“I was here very early this morning and met with both permanent secretaries. It has been a pleasure thus far. We just did a walk-through at our head office and we are busy and ready to work for the people of TT. I met with some old colleagues, some old friends, I once worked here, so it’s my pleasure to be here as the minister this morning. I look forward to working with each and every one to make our country and our people happy.”
Mohit was joined by parliamentary secretary to the ministry, Senator Dr Natalie Chaitan Maharaj.
Rural development and local government minister Khadijah Ameen met with department heads on May 5.
In a statement on May 5, the ministry said Ameen identified several immediate recommendations.
“Among these is a directive for the Disaster Management Unit (DMU) to develop and present a comprehensive programme of works aimed at flood reduction in the Caroni River Basin and the Oropouche River Basin.
“Additionally, there is a call for the establishment of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for disaster shelters. These SOPs are expected to address key aspects such as shelter management staffing, essential equipment and necessary supplies.”
The statement added those proactive measures came at a cr
