The PP administration's four new Senators received a warm welcome from senators on all sides in the Upper House yesterday when they took up their positions during yesterday's sitting. Senate President Timothy Hamel-Smith declared vacant the seats of former PP Senators John Sandy, Verna St Rose Greaves, Nicole Dyer-Griffith and Danny Maharaj. Hamel-Smith then administered the oath of office to new Senators Ganga Singh, Marlene Coudray, Jamal Mohammed and Larry Howai. Singh is now the Government's Upper House leader, replacing Emmanuel George. Among the statements of welcome, PP Senator Marlene Coudray also received condolences on the death of her daughter Michelle from Senators James Armstrong (Independent), Faris Al-Rawi (Opposition PNM) and Lyndira Oudit (PP Government), who referred to Coudray as her "sister."
Al-Rawi, in his welcome statements, said all the new members had been added successfully.
He said the adequacy and functionality of the new members might be contemplated in the context of the motion under debate in yesterday's session. He said Coudray was no stranger to him since she was a strong San Fernandian. Al-Rawi also said he knew Singh when he had a "beautiful head of black hair." He noted Singh's hair was now silvery, "though very dapper still." He said Singh had been a Parliamentarian for 12 years, both on the Government and Opposition benches. "Sometimes, I read his contributions with delight," Al Rawi added. He said some PP senators. however, had moved "so far." He said Senator Vasant Bharath was further from him and Singh had replaced George as Senate leader.