Former House Speaker Wade Mark will create history by returning to the Parliament–to head the Opposition People's Partnership's Senate team–following his five-year stint as presiding officer in the House of Representatives between June 2010 to September 2015.
Mark is one of six Opposition PP Senators announced yesterday after selection by Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
Mark, who served as a Speaker between 2010 to 2015 under the PP administration, attended a United National Congress parliamentary workshop at Paraiso Building, Claxton Bay, yesterday, along with his colleagues.
He and the five other PP senators, the People's National Movement Government's 16 senators, as well as nine Independent Senators announced yesterday, will take the oath of office at today's ceremonial launch of the first session of the 11th Parliament.
In an interview yesterday, Persad-Bissessar also confirmed that former trade and investment minister Vasant Bharath, UNC chairman Khadijah Ameen, attorneys Danny Solomon and Wayne Sturge and former national diversity minister Rodger Samuel would also be appointed senators.
She said she chose her team of senators based on their experience and commitment to service. She lauded Mark for his institutional experience.
"Mr Mark, for example, is a very experienced man in parliamentary practice and proceedings," she added.
He resigned as Speaker on Monday, ahead of today's election of new presiding officers, following the September 7 advent of the PNM administration.
Parliament officials yesterday confirmed Mark's new undertaking would mark the first time a former presiding officer would be returning to another top role in the Parliament immediately after resigning.
Mark, whose background is in labour, had served as a UNC Senate leader in two previous terms when the UNC was in Opposition.
Asked to justify her other choices yesterday, Persad-Bissessar said: "I chose people on the basis of experience. I also wanted some new faces based on their commitment and qualifications. I believe they will serve us well."
She said Bharath would bring "institutional experience in the Senate.
"Minister Bharath brings a wealth of experience in several areas, including planning, finance, trade and investment and even agriculture.
"Roger Samuel also brings expertise as part of the Cabinet and he will also have that institutional memory. Khadijah Ameen has served as the chairman of our party and she is a strong soldier and supporter," Persad-Bissessar said.
Because the Senate deals mainly with legislation, Persad-Bissessar said she felt it important to appoint two lawyers–Sturge and Solomon–to be part of the team.
"We have two great lawyers. I think we need lawyers at this time. Those will bring great value to the Senate. We are dealing with legislation mainly in the Senate so that experience is important," she added.
Persad-Bissessar also said the parliamentary workshop was meant to assist all parliamentarians in dealing with parliamentary practice.
President Anthony Carmona will deliver the feature address at today's function at the Parliament chamber.
Presiding officers for the House of Representatives and Senate will also be elected and the PNM's and PP's successful general election candidates will take their oath of office as Members of Parliament (MPs).
The House Speaker will be attorney Bridgid Annisette-George, with PNM Tunapuna representative Esmond Forde, Deputy Speaker, it was confirmed yesterday.
The Senate President will be attorney Christine Kangaloo, with PNM assistant general secretary Daniel Dookie as Senate vice-president.
Leader of Government Business in the Lower House will be Planning Minister Camille Robinson-Regis.
PNM Trade Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon will be Government's Senate leader.
President Carmona's nine selections for the Independent Senate bench include three former Independent Senators of the last Senate: Economist Dr Dhanayshar Mahabir, technocrat David Small and attorney Ian Roach.
Two other appointees to the incoming Senate bench–businessman Taurel Shrikissoon and petroleum engineer Melissa Vicki Ramkissoon–also served as temporary Independents in the last 2010-2015 term.
Other appointees to the incoming Independent bench are senior counsel Sophia Chote, CNMG morning talk show host Paul Richards, Oxford University graduate and NGO head Jennifer Raffoul and local government expert Stephen Creese. (See profiles on Page A5)
The PNM Government's Senators are a mix of five senator ministers, young attorneys, a former temporary PNM Senator, various other PNMites, plus defeated candidates and unsuccessful Tobago nominees.
PNM officials yesterday denied a claim that former attorneys general John Jeremie (PNM) and Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj would be PNM Government Senators and would "head an anti-corruption bureau." Communication Minister Maxie Cuffie also said that "was absolutely untrue."
UNC deputy leader Roodal Moonilal will likely be the Opposition PP's whip, PP officials said.
The Opposition PP also announced shadow ministers yesterday. They are Roodal Moonilal (Housing/Urban Development); Kamla Persad-Bissessar (Attorney General/Legal Affairs/National Security); Rodney Charles (Communication/Foreign-Caricom Affairs); Vidya Guyadeen-Gopeesingh (Attorney General/Legal Affairs/National Security); Ganga Singh (Public Utilities); Fazal Karim (Education); Prakash Ramadhar (Attorney General, Legal Affairs/National Security); Dr Bhoe Tewarie (Planning and Development, Energy); Dr Tim Gopeesingh (Finance); David Lee (Trade/Industry); Christine Newallo-Hosein (Social Development/Family Services); Dr Fuad Khan (Health); Dr Lackram Bodoe (Public Administration); Ramona Ramdial (Tourism); Rudy Indarsingh (Labour, Agriculture); Dr Surujrattan Rambachan (Works/Transport, Rural Development/Local Government); Rushton Paray (Agriculture, Lands Fisheries); Barry Padarath (Community Development, Culture, Arts, Sports and Youth Affairs).
Traffic restrictions in effect in capital
Temporary traffic restrictions will be in place in Port-of-Spain from 6 am to 6 pm for today's officials opening of Parliament.
Parking will be prohibited on Wrightson Road, Edward Street; Independence Square North; Independence Square South; Richmond Street; Dock Road, South Quay; London Street, Post Office Road and Park Street.
Between 1.30 pm and 4.30 pm drivers will be prohibited from (a) Independence Square South, between Edward Street and Wrightson Road (drivers proceeding West along Independence Square South shall turn north on reaching Edward Street) and (b) the west-bound carriageway of Wrightson Road, between Independence Square South and Sackville Street.
Drivers may, between 1.30 pm and 4.30 pm, proceed in both directions along the east-bound carriageway of Wrightson Road, between Independence Square South and Sackville Street.
Parliament launches programme
n Guests seated in the Parliament chamber, Waterfront Complex, Port-of-Spain, by 1.15 pm.
n At 1.30 pm, a proclamation is read by the Clerk of the House of Representatives declaring open the first session of the 11th Parliament.
n Same is done in the Senate, which meets separately in the J Hamilton Maurice Room (adjoining the Chamber). The Senate President is also elected and robed. A Senate vice-president is elected. All PNM, PP, Independent Senators take the oath of office.
n Simultaneously, same is done in the House of Representatives, where the Clerk of the House seeks nomination for House Speaker, including any Opposition proposal which can also be made, and a Speaker is nominated. The Speaker is then robed and begins presiding over the House. A Deputy Speaker is also elected. Members take their oath of office as Members of Parliament.
n Session is suspended briefly for Senators to join HOR members.
n Presiding officers of both Upper and Lower Houses exit the chamber to meet the President on his arrival outside the complex.
n The President takes the salute from the Guard of Honour on Wrightson Road.
n The President enters the chamber.
n Prayers are delivered by religious leaders.
n The President addresses the gathering of both Upper and Lower Houses of Parliament.
n On his completion, the Guard of Honour marches off in the direction of Dock Road.
n Possible remarks by the Prime Minister and/or Opposition Leader.
n Guests, media exit immediately.
n Reception follows at Waterfront Complex tented area.