Rowley sworn in as T&T PM

(Trinidad Guardian) Dr Keith Rowley has been sworn into office as Trinidad’s seventh prime minister at a ceremony at Queen’s Hall, St Ann’s by President Anthony Carmona.

The Diego Martin West MP took the oath of office before a packed audience, which included politicians, diplomats and school children.

The event was broadcast live on television and streamed live on www.otp.tt

San Fernando West MP Faris Al-Rawi was sworn in as Attorney General and retired Major General Edmund Dillon, the MP for Point Fortin was sworn in as Minister of National Security.

Minutes after being officially appointed as Prime Minister of T&T, Rowley called on all citizens to “take a little less at the top and leave a little more at the bottom” for the young people in this country.

At the swearing-in ceremony, Rowley expressed gratitude to T&T and promised that his administration would serve the country to the best of its ability.

Among his first order of business, is to prepare for the 2015-2016 budget.
“I am starting with today to make sure everybody else works. I want to make one appeal to our people in T&T, we have a lot to be thankful for. We have a lot to be grateful for. Spend a little more time enjoying it, looking at the positive side of life,” Rowley said.
“If we take this approach, life in T&T can become a whole lot more pleasant and a whole lot more enjoyable.
“Let us remember who put us on this path and what is expected of us.”
Rowley recalled being a member of the faculty of the University of the West Indies and watching students pouring out of school, and asking himself who was looking out for them.

He said, having entered the political arenas, he always felt that those who had “made it” had a responsibility to others.
“I embark on this exercise, this assignment to have responsibility to all the people of T&T, to manage their affairs.

 

President Anthony Carmona presenting the instrument of appointment to Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley after he took his oath of office today. Photo courtesy CNC3
President Anthony Carmona presenting the instrument of appointment to Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley after he took his oath of office today. Photo courtesy CNC3

He thanked God for bringing him to be of service to the people of T&T and specifically thanked people at the Seventh Day Adventist church in Mason Hall, Tobago who raised him along the way, and everybody else who gave him advice.
“You got an opportunity, take it, behave yourself and make good. That was the advice I got from the village of Mason Hall and I have taken that advice. Today I give you assurance that the team you put in place as government of T&T will make every effort that whatever is available to us, we’ll take the best opportunity to be the best that we can be.
Rowley was elected as the seventh Prime Minister of T&T in a 23 to 18 victory to the People’s National Movement on Monday.

No date has yet been fixed for the swearing in of the other members of Cabinet.