PM Kamla moves into mansion, but with new local staff

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar moves into the official residence of the PM by the end of the month, press secretary Gavin Nicholas has confirmed. And an all-local staff will replace the team of foreigners at the residence.

When former Prime Minister Patrick Manning moved into the official residence he removed most of the locals employed there and hired foreign staff.

UDeCOTT had been put in charge of running the house with a staff that included 20 Filipinos, an Indian national, a St Lucian, and a Swede and a contingent of Nigerian security guards.

UDeCOTT hired the Hyatt Regency Hotel to buy all food items and other necessities for the residence.

The foreign staff at the residence were seconded from the Hyatt for duties as room attendants, cooks, laundry assistants and butler. They will return to the hotel and corresponding local staff will work at the residence.

An officer of the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard or Regiment will replace Armando D'Souza, an Indian national, as head of Household. The Swedish woman who is Assistant House Manager will also be reassigned.

Nicholas said Hyatt officials and making some decorating changes at "a minimal cost" and the Prime Minister will move in as soon as everything is OK.

He told reporters the Prime Minister is leaving matters relating to the official residence "in the expert hands of those who are entrusted to do so."

Nicholas said the Diplomatic Centre will open to the public as promised as soon as all the logistics are worked out.