Prime Minister Keith Rowley who is spending Christmas in Tobago with his family, said that he hopes to escape the regimentation of his schedule and diet during this season that he loves and particularly sharing it with family. His Christmas wish for T&T is peace prosperity, safety and security.
Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar spent the day with her husband Gregory, son and grandchildren. They enjoyed Christmas dinner last night with close friends. She hopes that while Trinis share black cake and sorrel, they will also spare a thought for the less fortunate and commit to being kind, compassionate and loving in 2020.
After an extremely busy year of piloting and operationalising legislation and several hectic weeks pushing the marijuana decriminalisation law, Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi shed his legal accoutrements temporarily yesterday.
“I especially look forward to spending time with family at Christmas, particularly our tradition of a San Fernando Christmas with my mom and the entire family. There’s nothing like a good old San Fernando Christmas,” he said.
Ruth Avenue—named after his grandmother Ruth Seukeran—the centre point of yesterday’s action.
“It’s where generations of people come together,” he said.
“Wishing everyone season’s greetings. I say to have hope that delivery comes. In the difficult circumstances when we assumed Government a lot of reform measures were painstakingly implemented but there will be means of satisfying the hunger including a boom ahead on the ground, not just in Fernando West. To colleagues, especially in Opposition, I ask for some common sense and pray for the spirit of good sense and for us all to do our part.”
It’s baby’s first Christmas for new daddy Opposition MP Barry Padarath whose seven-month-old baby girl was the focus of attention.
“I wish for Trinidad and Tobago a new UNC Government led by a compassionate, sound-minded rational prime minister—Kamla Persad-Bisssessar—and I hope to serve a large slice of humble pie to PNM colleagues in the year ahead.”
Planning Minister Camille Robinson-Regis was up at the crack of dawn to organise yesterday’s events as she spent Christmas with her husband, 12-year-old twin daughters and her 93-year-old mother.
“I wish Trinidad and Tobago a peaceful year with a sense of country as our Prime Minister says, with boundless faith in our destiny, and I look forward to reaching our 2030 goals. Each year we progress, you know it, you can see it. Trinidad and Tobago is better off than many countries. Even IMF reports have noted Trinidad and Tobago’s standard of living is better off than over 100 other countries. There’s a lot to be grateful and hopeful about.”
A lot of eating was on the schedule at Opposition MP Dr Roodal Moonilal’s house.
“Mrs Moonilal and our son spent a lot of the morning opening umpteen gifts under the tree, enjoying homemade bread with cake, jam and cream, then opening more gifts and relaxing watching Christmas movies. There was an afternoon snooze, more movies and in between a 100 calls to exchange Christmas greetings,” he said.
“For my Government colleagues, I take care of everyone who gives me a lot of attention. I wish Mr Hinds a scale to measure 30 grammes for his gift. For Mr Young, who’s been very attracted to me, a loud bullhorn, For the AG, a Savile Row suit with matching towel for breast pocket and for the PM a ticket to go shopping at a Holland mall which I’ve finally found.”
Good food was the centrepiece of celebrations at the home of Public Utilities Minister Robert Le Hunte. His family, including his 86-year-old mother and his wife, sampled a mixture of T&T food and dishes from Ghana.
“My wife is from Ghana and we try to have both including a popular dish called jollof rice which is something like our pelau. We’ll be ringing in the New Year in St Lucia,” he said.
“To all my colleagues, government and opposition, I wish health and strength. I also share with you my personal motto: service to humanity, which I hope we’ll all be able to stand by in 2020.”
Christmasing north to south is how Opposition Chief Whip Dr David Lee spent the day, which included attending church with his mother, breakfast with family and a traditional Christmas dinner
“I wish Trinidad and Tobago and all citizens and colleagues a blessed Christmas. To my Government colleagues, I hope we can work together hand in hand and build a better Trinidad and Tobago. I’m happy for the little break we have while Parliament relocates to the Red House and look forward to starting the last nine months of the term there.
“However I put the Government on notice they wouldn’t get a free pass from us on anything. We supported a lot of law in 2019 including the $100 note changeover and I still believe there should be an extension of the December 31 deadline for this.”
Newly installed chairman of the Diego Martin Regional Corporation Symon De Nobrega’s day was spent not only with family but Corporation colleagues ensuring a particular aspect of the job got done.
“I wish to all my colleagues on all sides the spirit of love and compassion. If we serve the people and serve Trinidad and Tobago, then we’re all on the same side. That’s how I approach life. Christmas is a time of new beginnings and light. I hope we all take it into the new year.”
Couva South MP Rudy Indarsingh was especially glad his mother was sharing Christmas with his wife and two children since she was ill recently.
“My colleagues on both sides of the House I wish all of the best but I know my Government colleagues would understand if they don’t get good wishes from the 63, 633 workers—yes, we worked it out with CSO, labour and other statistics—who have lost jobs this term but 2020 will be year for many new things.”
He’s over the pneumonia he recently had and Health Minister Terrance Deyalsingh is back to his busy schedule, which included meeting the Christmas babies born at the Port-of-Spain and Mt Hope hospitals and supporting healthcare workers who were on the job on Christmas Day,
“To all my colleagues, let’s take measures to protect our health and don’t let job stress get you. Take some downtime. For 2020, let it all be about physical, mental and spiritual health for all,” he said.