Dr Bhoendradatt Tewarie took office Wednesday as Trinidad and Tobago's new planning minister and will attend his first cabinet meetint Thursday.
Both President Max Richards and Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar praised Tewari, noting his wealth of experience and skills.
Richards and Tewari were colleagues at the University of the West Indies (UWI). Tewari succeeded Richards as Principal of UWI when Richards became President of T&T.
"I take a particular pleasure in administering the oath of office to Dr Tewarie," Richards said at the swearing in Wednesday.
"It was clear to me that Dr Tewarie exhibited considerable skills, finesse and used his vast experience to bring effect," he added.
Persad-Bissessar congratulated Tewarie and placed a Trinidad and Tobago flag pin, which has become her government's trade-mark symbol, on his left shoulder.
"I do believe his wealth of experience and knowledge will serve the Government and therefore the people of Trinidad and Tobago in good stead. As we welcome him I want to thank former minister King for her service to the country. So welcome aboard, Dr Tewarie," Persad-Bissessar said.
Tewarie's immediate family and his parents were present for the brief ceremony. Also attending were Cabinet Ministers Dr Roodal Moonilal, Jack Warner, Winston Dookeran and Errol McLeod.
Tewari has replaced Mary King who was fired the day before over perceived irregularities in the award of a contract for website development in her own ministry. The contract went to a company in which she has family connections.
"It was clear to me that Dr Tewarie exhibited considerable skills, finesse and used his vast experience to bring effect," he added.
Persad-Bissessar congratulated Tewarie and placed a Trinidad and Tobago flag pin, which has become her government's trade-mark symbol, on his left shoulder.
"I do believe his wealth of experience and knowledge will serve the Government and therefore the people of Trinidad and Tobago in good stead. As we welcome him I want to thank former minister King for her service to the country. So welcome aboard, Dr Tewarie," Persad-Bissessar said.
Tewarie's immediate family and his parents were present for the brief ceremony. Also attending were Cabinet Ministers Dr Roodal Moonilal, Jack Warner, Winston Dookeran and Errol McLeod.
Tewari has replaced Mary King who was fired the day before over perceived irregularities in the award of a contract for website development in her own ministry. The contract went to a company in which she has family connections.
She has said she is not angry with the Prime Minister but at the same time she asked for an independent Integrity Commission inquiry to clear her name.
However, speaking with reporters in Chaguanas Wednesday, the Prime Minister said such an inquiry is not necessary.
However, speaking with reporters in Chaguanas Wednesday, the Prime Minister said such an inquiry is not necessary.
"I do not share that view," she said. "For us to protect the integrity of my Government, the People's Partnership, we had to do what we had to do...and the Attorney General has made that recommendation to go to the Integrity Commission.
"Decisions to be made by the Integrity Commission are totally different decisions to those being made by the Prime Minister," Persad-Bissessar added.
"Decisions to be made by the Integrity Commission are totally different decisions to those being made by the Prime Minister," Persad-Bissessar added.
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