Hours before former PNM minister Ken Valley died, a request was made to the People's Partnership Government for assistance to the former Diego Martin MP. Valley, father of six, died from colon cancer at his Pt Cumana home yesterday morning. Relatives said his funeral will take place at St Finbar's RC Church in Diego Martin next week. The exact date has not as yet been confirmed, relatives said yesterday. Persad-Bissessar told CNC-3 that the request was made during Thursday's Cabinet meeting.
She said Valley always acted with decorum and dignity as an MP.Persad-Bissessar said Valley, who became MP in 1990, after the July 27 attempted coup, was a "good politician." Later in an official release, Persad-Bissessar said Valley was a "provider." The PM said she learnt of Valley's death during her "early morning meditation." "I will always think of him as having been a provider," Persad-Bissessar added. She said Valley was "frank and fearless."
Persad-Bissessar said: "Ken Valley was a notably worthy man. And the PNM flag at party headquarters, Balisier House in Port-of-Spain is being flown at half mast. A release from party secretary Ashton Ford said the party leadership would meet with Valley's family to determine what assistance it could provide with his funeral arrangements.