Kamla Persad-Bissessar is sworn in by President George Maxwell
Richards as the first female Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago
Swearing-in of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar: more pictures:
www.triniview.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=463169
Speech delivered by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar at her Oath Taking ceremony at Knowsley Building, Port of Spain
May 26th, 2010
My fellow citizens…it gives me great pleasure to address you for the very first time as Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
This has been quite a journey for me. It is the summary of a life in public office that spans some 25 years but one which most people will long remember for its past five months. As you all know, I was elected on February 24th of this year as Political Leader of the UNC, and on March 24th became Leader of the Opposition and now I humbly received the honour to have been elected Prime Minister on May 24th 2010.
But that as far as I will indulge myself in personalising the sequence of events, of far greater importance is enormous responsibility I now bear along with the leadership of the People’s Partnership and our administration to address the urgent social issues at hand and move the nation forward.
Change has indeed come.
The time has arrived to open a new chapter in our nation’s history.
It’s time for all of us to stand together side by side.
Trinidad alongside Tobago.
Members and supporters of all political persuasions, citizens all, arm in arm.
Today we start the work of transforming the hope and promise of change into the reality of change.
And while we leave the euphoria and the emotion of the election behind us, what we do not stray from is the unity the election has forged.
This morning we leave the labels behind and we move forward as one nation – all committed to the same goal – a safer, more prosperous and just Trinidad and Tobago where we all have opportunity and equality.
No more labels. No more prefixes of Afro and Indo nor North and South nor East West corridors. The election is over. It was a means towards an end. Now as citizens of Trinidad and Tobago we are all beneficiaries of the mandate given by the people. This is a victory for all citizens.
Our love of country must now move to the forefront.
And we must recommit ourselves to our nation and to ourselves.
We’re not checking party cards or keeping notes on supporters lists.
The task of rebuilding Trinidad and Tobago will require the participation of everyone and you are all invited to sit at the nation’s table.
Our country has had enough of top down government. We’re going to reverse that order of things.
Throughout the campaign, we were clear about our plans.
And so today…we begin the process of making them government policy.
My fellow citizens, the task ahead of us is challenging and we need all our nation’s talent, all our nation’s wisdom, all our nation’s people on board with us.
It’s time to build a future which we can all share, hold pride in and pass on to our children with confidence.
We have been given an immense opportunity for developing Trinidad and Tobago in ways many might not have thought possible.
The abundant talent of our people in so many spheres is world renowned and we are blessed with rich natural resources. There is no reason why our nation cannot reach heights of development never seen before.
This development must not be measured in the grandeur of tall structures as an architectural manifestation of how far we have come but by the level of human development of our people, by the extent to which the needs of people have been satisfied, by the way things just work well, by the degree of safety and security that our people and the nation enjoy, by the enabling environment created for business to flourish and a renaissance of the arts and culture to emerge, by the mutual respect we hold for each other, by the level of education provided to our young ones and the quality of care given to our little children and by the success we achieve in addressing the very pressing social concerns such as poverty alleviation, domestic violence and child abuse. These are just some of the ways in which our development must be measured.
What happens from this day forward is in our hands. It is up to us.
And so the challenge before us – is to stay as one people.
We must never allow the seeds of separation to regain hold on our soil.
This afternoon, the new chapter we turn is a fresh start for all of us.
New Directions
Over the next few days I will be making the appointments of members of my cabinet following consultations with the leadership of the People’s Partnership. I promise you it will be comprised of the most competent, committed and qualified individuals.
On composition of the Cabinet my administration will bring Tobago into the core administration of government. And I formally announce this afternoon that there will be an establishment of a Ministry of Tobago Development as we look to bring our sister isle on as equal partners in the development of our twin island state.
Our administration will be addressing social and economic restructuring in the medium term as we look to fast track the changes so urgently required. We will be targeting Ministries to give an account on specific deliverables within a timeframe, as an example, food production. This will be a performance driven formula that measures results and holds those in authority accountable to meeting their goals and objectives.
Under the Office of the Prime Minister, special emphasis will be placed on restoring the dignity and effectiveness of Parliament. In this context, the Red House will remain the Seat of the Parliament.
Parliamentary oversight on key issues has gone into abeyance and in an effort to ensure Parliament is not just a rubber stamp we will be making immediate steps to institute Parliamentary reform under the Office of the Prime Minister.
The People’s Partnership government I lead will be moving towards the delivery of an early budget after candid assessments are conducted on the state of the nation’s finances and economy. The budget provisions based will be developed to give effect to the priorities of the new direction of our new government.
At the conclusion of this afternoon’s ceremony, one of my first acts as Prime Minister will be to meet with the Head of the Office of the Disaster Preparedness and Management along with the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, Sandra Marchack, to discuss the current flooding in various parts of the island and the impending increased level of flooding. Arising out of those discussions, a release will be issued on the decisions arrived at and the course of action to be taken.
This situation underlines the need of our new administration to fast track all assessment and begin the process of implementing both short term and long term solutions in so many areas including those such as drainage and irrigation.
A tour of some of the affected areas has already been conducted by members of the incoming administration this morning and a report is being compiled on the needs of the affected areas.
In light of the urgency of this situation and my need to address it I will now crave your indulgence to leave hastily and do apologise for having to forego the usual formalities that accompany occasions such as this.
On behalf of the government of the People’s Partnership, may I thank you all for being here and to express once more my deepest gratitude to the people of Trinidad and Tobago for their overwhelming support.
May God Bless you all and May God Bless our nation.
To our new Prime Minister, Mrs Kamla Persad-Bissessar: GO GIRL!!
Congratulations to our new Prime Minister.
We expect much from you.
The key to being and remaining successful
is to listen to the voice of the people.
Never ignore the people who placed their confidence in you.
Our support and prayers are with you.
very happy supporter.
alrudol
We are so proud of you….. Simply be yourself and Trinidad & Tobago will have the best prime minister ever. Always remember you are a strong woman and your country loves you.
Now many may return home….. HOME OUR BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY…..
LOVE Always
Congrats to you Madame Prime Minister from the Bennett family in Ottawa.
All the best
Congrats. From the Dookie family from PA. USA.
It always takes a woman to clean up after the mess the men make, and this election is no exception. Congratulation Prime Minister, and I’m 1000% CONFIDENT YOU WILL BRING BACK T&T to greatness once more. The people of T&T will be proud of your abilities as a professional, a mother, wife and grandmother to run a household and family budget to get our country back on its way to peace, happiness, and prosperity. May God bless you and guide you in this auspicious undertaking. Love Bal, from Chicago, Illinois USA
Congratulations to you, our new PM. You look so beautiful in your picture. You have such a kind aurora about you that every time I see you it gives me hope for our country it makes me misty eyed. I have much confidence in you that you will lead with a strong mind and a kind heart. Please get the citizens involved give them a platform to let their voices be heard so that your tenure will be successful. I am rooting for you and I know that you will make a difference in restoring pride and dignity in our country.
God Bless!!!!!!
I am not from T&T yet I love the country.
Have not visited much due to crime. Trinidad & Tobago is a beautiful country and the people are so friendly and carefree.
I remember all my friends,doubles in Curepe,maracas bay,that cold stag….. Yes I remember it well. Hope to visit soon.
Mrs.Kamala Persad Bissessar Job well done.
Please keep your word to your beautiful people and country.
They believe in you that is why today you are the people choice.
Congratulation Madam PM, please serve the people well, be cool and everyone will continue to love you. We in New York is watching closely, GOD BLESS.
People let us not forget she would have higher Boss to listen to. So let us supporter her in the decisions she would have to make, that is what would keep her there.
It is all well to be a Prime Minister OF A Country ,but you know what , we can say what we want ,but it all comes down to who you have to listen to.Next question is why she have to listen to them.
So my Dear Prime Minister I wish you stand for Moral Principal always. Wish You and Your Team Well.
I wish Our Former Prime Minister Patrick Manning Well. Every one have so much to say, only you knows, what you have to do, and why you may a decision like what you make. People think it is easy to Govern a Country. But I and my Family Wish you well. We Pray God may Grand you Grace and Wisdom to make wise Decisions in what ever you take on in your life.All the best to you and your wife.
Sorry but Patrick Manning can go to hell and I hope he rots there. He ruined the country with crime and corruption so no one gives a damn what he does or does not do do next, no one cares about that idiot, good riddance to him!!!!!!!!!!!!
@ SA in England. There’s a saying that goes, “A nation gets the leaders it deserves”. What the saying means is that the citizens in a democracy are ultimatley responsible for the leaders they choose and the way these leaders govern. If you despise the actions of a leader you protest, campaign against them, hassle your local representative and vote them out. The fact remains that for nearly four decades the citizens of TnT repeatedly chose that party to lead; ergo everyone is culpable. The same goes for the new coalition ruling party. Any ‘savior’ can become a despot, because, as William Pitt said “ultimate power corrupts ultimately”.
Lastly, the negativity you have expressed toward the previous administrator is distasteful and unproductive. We all have our opinions and we may freely express them, but atagonism will not build a bridge for the nation to unite and work towards the nation’s growth and properity. It is not about sides and party allegience.
Good luck to the new PM and our nation.
it the ignorance and illiteracy of ppl lik eyou that give a man power rather than take power from him, u are here commentin about kamla’s victory and still cant get off Patrick, maybe the issue is more the brain wash u received than ur actual hate for him. and at no point one man can be blamed for crime in a country and we must always remember the support Kamla had and still has for the ever corrupt Basdeo Panday. so relax the hate and look forward and educate u self on My country’s history before u speak out of turn.
I agree with this statement totally. only when your in the fire do you feel the heat. My people you wanted change so you have voted for that change. I pray and hope this is the right change for my people. Mr Manning all the best to you and your family.. start enjoying your life a little now,, the burden of my Sweet Island is not yours to bear anymore
CONGRATULATION ..TO OUR NEW PRIME MINISTER KAMLA PERSAD BISSESSAR.
WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU AS A WOMAN YOU DID IT,NOW IT TIME FOR OTHER PEOPLE TO TAKE EXAMPLE HOW TO GOVERN THERE COUNTRY.
THANK GOD YOU CAME ALONG TO SAVE OUR BEAUTIFUL HOME LAND OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
CONGRATS TO YOU ONCE MORE FROM …..THE MANAGEMENT AND STAFF OF
TREMONT ELECTRONICS
AND THE SEETARAM FAMILY GOD BLESS YOU. N .Y
CONGRATS TO OUR NEW PRIME MINISTER KAMLA PERSAD BISSESSAR
MAY TRINIDAD BE BLESS WITH THE BEST TO GOVERN OUR COUNTRY
Franklin D. Roosevelt said : in politics nothing is accidental. If something happens, be assured it was planned this way.
exactly and jack’s money can go a long wayyy
CONGRATULATIONS… TO THE NEW QUEEN OF T&T MRS. BISSESSAR, PRIME MINISTER OF THE REPUBLIC. YOU HAD TO GET RID OF TWO MEN WHO DID NOT WANT TO LEAVE. THE NATION THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT IN FINE STYLE. REMEMBER THE PEOPLE ESPECIALLY THOSE IN TRADITIONAL UNC AREAS WHO LIVE WITHOUT GOOD ROADS, WATER, JOBS AND OTHER BASIC NECESSITIES. PUNISHED BY THE PNM FOR MANY, MANY YEARS. TAKE CARE OF THEM FIRST….AND ALL WILL BE WELL.
PRIME MINISTER KAMLA BISSESSAR
What a tremendous time in Trinidad and Tobago. Congratulations to you and your newly formed Government. You are an awesome woman i followed this Election from the start and i could off tell you got it going. God is in charge with every area off our lives and he was definately in charge for this Election.
Once again gooooodddddd luck.
BERNADETTE FROM NEW YORK
Congratulation to Trinidad and Tobago new Prime Minister Kamla Bissessar. I wish u all the best. Now that you have won i wish you could have return Air Jamaica to us…but thats impossible now. All the best and hope that God will give you strength and Guide you along in guiding his people. One Love from Jamaica.
THE SECRET OF SUCCESS……
ASPIRATION
INSPIRATION
PERSPIRATION.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Watch out my ppl, many will soon find out that she may be just a female version of Basdeo Panday!(soon to be President?)
Huum quite interesting statement..
well ofcourse dear she sat under him for years supporting his every bad decision and move ahy would ppl expect different is beyond me but the people must get what they vote for ehh
this is the change ppl wanted….hahaha, she run Obama style campaign and get in ppl head. The difference between her and Obama is that Obama was brand knew on the political scene with no real measure of his politics….we know very well what Kamla politics look like. We see it by who she chose for AG. Wasn’t that man an Indian rights advocate??
Congrats!Madam Prime Minister Kamla Bissessar. I wish you success in all your future endevours.God bless you and god bless Trinidad And Tobago.
From The Ramnarine Family Vancouver.BC Canada
CONGRATULATION..P.M KAMLA….I wish you the best ..but the job have just started and i hope you will have the strengh to take TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO to the top ..better health care ..roads ..water …and a cleaner and better place for the people ….
congrats to our new pm you go girl finally some change. from the usa the singh family.
Congrats….to our new Prime Minister. May God Bless you
and your TEAM well!! Marla – Toronto, Canada
Congratulations to our new PM Kamla, not only are you intelligent, but caring and very fashionable. You always look good and choose the right outfits and colours for the right occasions, you are cultured and sophisticated and a great woman.
I have no doubt that you will pull TT back to the land it once was and unite it’s people again. God Bless.
Congratulations to Madame Prime Minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
This is a wonderful day for T&T. It is a new chapter in our history book. You have inherited a lot of mess from the last administration and you have a lot of work and healing to do.
Please, please be forthright, compliant and honest with the people of this beautiful country. We have a new hope.
We are happy for this new day. Thank you and Be Blessed.
Congratulations to you Madam Prime Minister. As a young woman I have always admired you even though I am a supporter of the now opposition party. I admire you for the person you are. Your kind aura always managed to turn my attention towards you. For me its not about race, it’s about someone’s ability to rule and succeed. All We the People of Trinidad and Tobago want is to be able to live comfortably and have access to the benefits life has to offer and as a woman maybe your touch is what we need to clean up our country. All the best to you in your term of Governance. And remember in all that is said and done, God’s Direction is what will lead you to do the best for our nation so Listen to HIS voice.
Madam Prime Minister,
My heartfelt and sincere congratulations goes out to you, Blessed woman of God. You have created history by becoming the first woman of POWER, Prime Minister of this great land, Trinidad and Tobago.
May God direct all your steps for guidance, in your decisions, and in your life for the betterment and good of the people of Trinidad and Tobago.
Stay focus on what is at hand and let God be in the center of it all. Remember he will never leave you nor forsake you. Develop a strong relationship with him, and watch God work!
He is always watching so allow him to say, “Job Well Done”
May God’s Richly Bless You,
Charmaine Forde ‘Singer’
CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU LADY PM KAMLA AND TO ALL THE PEOPLE OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO!THIS VICTORY WAS HIGHLY EXPECTED AND NOW IT’S A REALITY BECAUSE OF THE FRUSTRATION OF A NATION. THIS HAS BECOME POSSIBLE AND INDICATES THAT THE TRUE LOVE AMONGST OUR PEOPLE STILL EXIST IN THE HEARTS OF THE MAJORITY AND IT’S A LOUD CRY FOR YOU TO RESTORE THE HORMONY OF LIVING TOGETHER THE WAY WE ONCE DID! WE KNOW YOU ARE NOT A MAGICIAL AND YOU ARE NOT GOD, BUT WE KNOW THAT YOU ARE BLESSED WITH THE GIFT TO LEAD AND NOW HAVE IN YOUR HANDS THE TOOLS, AUTHORITY,INFUENCE AND ABILITY TO CHANGE THE DIRECTION AND QUAITY OF LIFE OF OUR NATION, AND SHOWN THAT OUR FAITH HAS BEEN PUT IN YOU TO DO SO BY PLACING YOU WHERE YOU ARE TODAY.
GOOD LUCK AGAIN AND NEVER LEADS US AWAY FROM TOGETHERNESS!!!
This is a great time in the consciousness of Trinidad & Tobago. Change is good, but more so, is that we have given a woman a chance. In woman lies godd(ess), in woman lies mother, in woman lies compassion, in woman lies beauty, in woman lies true courage, and woman has created man after all, they are our mothers. So why not lead. Those are qualifications enough for me!!!!
Love light and all that is right to all the people in Trinidad and Tobago and all us here in the USA and World seeing this time!
Congratulations to Madame Prime Minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, best of luck, success and happiness to you and your cabinet.
P.S. Grandma sends God-Bless.
Thank you.
Faithfully,
V.