Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar told reporters Monday the size of her cabinet is less important that what it can achieve.
She also explained the rationale for the Ministry of National Diversity and Social Integration, which she said would deal with issues such as patriotism, national heroes, protocols.
"The concept is that as we celebrate our diversity, there must be also unity...it would deal with concerns that arise in a diverse society in which we seek unity" as distinct from the Ministry of Multiculturalism, which picks up expression and artform of culture, she said.
On the establishment of the Ministry of Communications, she said communications has been the Government's weakest area and everyone who has spoken in the retreats state that Government did not seem to have an appropriate communications strategy.
The Prime Minister also spoke of the economy and the challenge for Larry Howai, the new Finance Minister. Howai has a wealth of experience in banking, she said, adding that she expects him to use his experience and expertise to diversity the economy and ensure its growth.
She said Vasant Bharath would help in that regard as the Minister of Trade, Industry and Investments.
"Chandradath Singh, the High Commissioner to India would be here shortly with some of those investors coming out of India, there are others out of Panama and you need someone to take all of it and co-ordinate it," she said.
"It is all well and good to talk about numbers and size. But what is important is that the focus areas of concern to the population are being addressed by the reconfiguration and composition of the Cabinet," she said in response to her critics who have been saying there are too many ministers in the cabinet.
There are 33 ministers in cabinet and seven junior ministers. Critics have said that's more than huge countries like China, which has 27 members, and the United States.
There are 33 ministers in cabinet and seven junior ministers. Critics have said that's more than huge countries like China, which has 27 members, and the United States.
The PM spoke reporters shortly after the swearing-in of new ministers at Knowsley building in Port of Spain. "There are so many issues to deal with. I do believe the composition of the Cabinet as it stands is better poised for greater delivery, greater performance and implementation," she said.
She unveiled four new ministries on Friday:
She unveiled four new ministries on Friday:
- Environment and Water Resources
- National Diversity and Social Integration
- Science and Technology
- Communications
Persad-Bissessar disagreed with the view that there are to many portfolios and dismissed suggestions that some are not relevant.
"The Ministry of Science and Technology, it was an area that we put in our manifesto, and spoke a lot about in the (election) campaign...Environment and Water Resources, this is an area that we were very strong about in our manifesto and we felt it needed to have stand alone status," she said.
The Prime Minister added, "It is to put focus on water from the time the rain falls from the sky, hits the ground and runs off, down to the sea. Every drop of water would be tapped or trapped as the case may be."
The Prime Minister added, "It is to put focus on water from the time the rain falls from the sky, hits the ground and runs off, down to the sea. Every drop of water would be tapped or trapped as the case may be."
She also explained the rationale for the Ministry of National Diversity and Social Integration, which she said would deal with issues such as patriotism, national heroes, protocols.
"The concept is that as we celebrate our diversity, there must be also unity...it would deal with concerns that arise in a diverse society in which we seek unity" as distinct from the Ministry of Multiculturalism, which picks up expression and artform of culture, she said.
On the establishment of the Ministry of Communications, she said communications has been the Government's weakest area and everyone who has spoken in the retreats state that Government did not seem to have an appropriate communications strategy.
The Prime Minister also spoke of the economy and the challenge for Larry Howai, the new Finance Minister. Howai has a wealth of experience in banking, she said, adding that she expects him to use his experience and expertise to diversity the economy and ensure its growth.
She said Vasant Bharath would help in that regard as the Minister of Trade, Industry and Investments.
"Chandradath Singh, the High Commissioner to India would be here shortly with some of those investors coming out of India, there are others out of Panama and you need someone to take all of it and co-ordinate it," she said.
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