Searchlight Logo
special_image

    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
Significant shifts expected in new ministerial portfolios in Trinidad and Tobago
Keith Rowley leader of the People’s National Movement (PNM) and Prime Minister of T&T
Press Release
August 18, 2020

Significant shifts expected in new ministerial portfolios in Trinidad and Tobago

The new government of the Keith Rowley administration in Trinidad and Tobago will see a significant shift in ministerial portfolios and possibly a new attorney general.

Reliable sources in the People’s National Movement (PNM) confirmed that Port of Spain South candidate Keith Scotland is seriously being considered to fill the second most senior Cabinet position and Diego Martin East candidate Colm Imbert, a former finance minister, may shift to the energy ministry.

It is said that San Fernando West candidate and current Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi may be shifted to another, yet-to-be decided ministry, while Port of Spain North candidate Stuart Young will retain his powerful position as national security minister and minister in the office of the prime minister, according to sources.

Party insiders said St Ann East candidate Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly was a shoo-in for the post of education minister.

Arima candidate Penelope Beckles, who once challenged Rowley for the leadership of the party, and defeated Chaguanas East candidate Clarence Rambharat, will also be assigned front-line ministries, according to people close to the prime minister.

Beckles and San Fernando East candidate Brian Manning, the son of former prime minister Patrick Manning, are being seen as potential candidates to take over the leadership of the PNM for the 2025 general election, as Rowley has already indicated that this will be his last term in office, party insiders said.

Deputy political leader and campaign manager of the PNM Rohan Sinanan will retain the portfolio of works and transport to ensure continuity in the major road and highway networks as well as other mega-projects to be completed.

Laventille East/Morvant candidate Fitzgerald Hinds will likely retain the public utilities portfolio, which he assumed in the last administration after Robert Le Hunte resigned, sources said.

One senior party official said that it was solely up to the prime minister’s prerogative to assign ministerial portfolios to candidates and dismissed the notion of people lobbying for positions.

Scotland also said the same when contacted. “I have no further comment.”

The swearings-in of the new ministers will take place at the Office of the President once the Election and Boundaries Commission submits the final results to President Paula-Mae Weekes.

The only outstanding result to seal the 41 parliamentary seats is St Joseph, where the vote recount has been ongoing since last Wednesday. Five other seats in which recounts had been requested have confirmed the winning PNM candidates.

The new covid-19 restriction of five people to congregate at one time has turned the arrangements of the swearings-in upside down, according to a source at the Office of the President.

For any minister to be sworn in, the President, the Prime Minister, the Chief Justice, the president’s aide-de-camp and the president’s secretary must be present. That means guests will be limited at the event and potential ministers will have to take the oath of office in batches.

Security and protocol personnel will also be limited at the event as well as members of the media, the official told Newsday.

The prime minister also has to advise the President of his choices to fill the 16 positions in the Senate. The Opposition Leader will have to submit six nominees for the Senate as well and the President has to appoint another nine independent senators.

The swearings-in will likely be completed by the end of this week and Parliament’s first order of business will be the 2020/2021 budget. (Newsday)

  • FacebookComments
  • ALSO IN THE NEWS
    Top students receive awards
    Front Page
    Top students receive awards
    Webmaster 
    October 24, 2025
    STAND OUT STUDENTS in the 2025 Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE), as well as those who excelled in Associate Degree programmes offere...
    Eighty-four North Windward residents receive title deeds
    Front Page
    Eighty-four North Windward residents receive title deeds
    Webmaster 
    October 24, 2025
    EIGHTY-FOUR TITLE DEEDS were handed out to residents in communities north of the Rabacca dry river on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at Orange Hill, but...
    Two regional heads give thumbs up to major SVG new projects
    Front Page
    Two regional heads give thumbs up to major SVG new projects
    Webmaster 
    October 24, 2025
    INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) that include the Modern Kingstown Port, and the Acute Referral Hospital in...
    Party leaders ‘throw stones’ at weekend meetings
    Front Page
    Party leaders ‘throw stones’ at weekend meetings
    Webmaster 
    October 24, 2025
    THE LEADERS of the two main political parties contesting the 2025 general elections tossed a few figurative stones at meetings held on Sunday, October...
    St Martin’s Secondary wins NTRC 2025 Robotics competition
    Front Page
    St Martin’s Secondary wins NTRC 2025 Robotics competition
    Webmaster 
    October 24, 2025
    THE WINNERS in the 2025 icode784 competition organised by the National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (NTRC), have been released following t...
    Police Corporal awarded Youth Excellence Award in Security
    Front Page
    Police Corporal awarded Youth Excellence Award in Security
    Webmaster 
    October 24, 2025
    A CORPORAL OF POLICE, who was awarded Police Woman of the Year, the Most Outstanding Police Officer at the Colonaire Police Station, the Most Outstand...
    News
    Health Psychologist advises Vincentians to get medically insured
    News
    Health Psychologist advises Vincentians to get medically insured
    Webmaster 
    October 24, 2025
    By: JADA CHAMBERS AS BREAST CANCER Awareness Month nears its end, Health Psychologist Jozelle Miller, is advising Vincentians to get medical insurance...
    PM announces new hotel developments
    News
    PM announces new hotel developments
    Webmaster 
    October 24, 2025
    PRIME MINISTER, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, has indicated that steps are underway for new hotel development on the windward end of mainland St Vincent. Speaki...
    Victim tells Magistrate to break his attacker’s foot as compensation
    From the Courts, News
    Victim tells Magistrate to break his attacker’s foot as compensation
    Webmaster 
    October 24, 2025
    A YOUNG MAN, who broke the foot of his 70year -old neighbour after accusing him of dirtying his clothes while he was walking in the neighbour’s yard, ...
    ‘I can’t sleep when people can’t find food to eat’ Cummings
    News
    ‘I can’t sleep when people can’t find food to eat’ Cummings
    Webmaster 
    October 24, 2025
    Member of Parliament for Central Kingstown Daniel Cummings, has complained that he gets “ a pittance” as an elected representative. Cummings made the ...
    SVG will support Grenada’s decision on request for US military hosting
    News
    SVG will support Grenada’s decision on request for US military hosting
    Webmaster 
    October 24, 2025
    THE GOVERNMENT OF St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) will support whatever decision Grenada’s Prime Minister, Dickon Mitchell makes in relation to a ...

    E-EDITION
    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store
    Subscribe Now
    • Interactive Media Ltd. • P.O. Box 152 • Kingstown • St. Vincent and the Grenadines • Phone: 784-456-1558 © Copyright Interactive Media Ltd.. All rights reserved.
    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok