UNC Leader Kamla Persad Bissessar speaking to reporters after winning the Siparia seat in the general election on Monday (CMC Photo)
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC)— Seventy-three year-old Kamla Persad Bissessar, created history on Thursday, when she took the oath of office, becoming the first woman to be sworn in as prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago on two separate occasions.
Persad Bissessar, a senior counsel, who was first elected in 2010 when she led the People’s Partnership government, was sworn in by President Christine Kangaloo, more than 72 hours after she led the United National Congress (UNC) coalition to a convincing victory in the general election.
Her appointment means that for the first time in the history of the twin island republic that the senior political posts in the country are held by women, with the Opposition Leader being Pennelope Beckles.
Senior Counsel, John Jeremie, who served as attorney general in previous PNM administrations, between 2003-2007 and 2009-2010, was also sworn in as the new attorney general.
Persad Bissessar said that her Cabinet will be sworn into office on Saturday and warned the incoming government ministers and legislators that “if you treat citizens with callousness, contempt …I guarantee you your retribution will be swift and brutal.”
“Never, ever mistake my physical appearance or my kindness for weakness. I think you all know there is nothing more dangerous than a mother who believes her children are in danger. Everyone will be wise to remember that for the next five years,” she told the ceremony.
The prime minister said that her administration will seek to be inclusive and dismissed those she termed as “eat a food financiers, who have looted this country for the last 10 years,” adding “democracy may be imperfect, but once every five years, no matter your wealth or status everyone is equal on election day”.
She said that beyond Port-of-Spain, “there is a country with real people, with real feelings and ambitions.”
“This is their country too. That is why I dedicate my term as prime minister to the forgotten people of our country— I see you, every single one”.
“I made a promise that everybody will win and I plan to fulfill that promise,” she said, indicating that she will be outlining the plans for her administration for “the coming months” to the country next week.
Persad Bissessar has promised that six months into her administration’s term in office “you will be in a safer and happier place T&T, you will see what happen when a government cares, we will work to make you and your lives better, that is our promise to you.”