Senior Reporter
dareece.polo@guardian.co.tt
Acting Prime Minister Stuart Young has defended the frequency of Prime Mnisiter Dr Keith Rowley’s travels while in office.
Young’s remarks came in response to Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who claimed that the Prime Minister has left Trinidad and Tobago 372 times, excluding his most recent trip to the US for a medical check-up.
Persad-Bissessar made this assertion during the debate on the Miscellaneous Provisions (Global Forum) Bill yesterday in Parliament.
Young countered that Rowley’s travels were essential for Government business and had significantly benefited the economy.
“The travel undertaken by Prime Minister Rowley since he assumed office has resulted in billions of dollars in benefits for Trinidad and Tobago. His international engagements have been crucial in negotiating with global oil and gas companies and meeting with key decision-makers,” Young stated.
Persad-Bissessar also took a swipe at Finance Minister Colm Imbert, reminding the public that Imbert often acted in Dr Rowley’s absence.
She humorously recalled once recommending Imbert for an Oscar but suggested he had since fallen out of favour with the Prime Minister.
“Perhaps the rumours are true that the Minister of Port-of-Spain North/St Ann’s West is being considered as the next candidate, but we don’t know,” she said.
Neither Young nor any other Government spokesperson addressed this particular point.
However, Guardian Media had previously reported that former politician Jack Warner regarded Young as Rowley’s “heir apparent.”
Political scientist Dr Bishnu Ragoonath also noted that as party chairman, Young held considerable influence, second only to the political leader. On the other hand, Dr Indira Rampersad was not surprised by Imbert’s lack of selection this time around, attributing it to his limited popularity. Although she does not anticipate Young being formally chosen to replace Rowley, she considers him an integral member of the party’s inner circle.
Prime Minister Rowley travelled to the United States on September 1 for routine medical tests and is expected to return sometime next week.