Dr Roodal Moonilal on the death of former cabinet minister and founding member of the UNC, Kelvin Ramnath.

The entire civic community has responded to the sudden passing of veteran political figure Kelvin Ramnath with shock and deep sadness.

Leader of the House of Representatives and senior Cabinet member, Honourable Dr. Roodal Moonilal, Minister of Housing, Land and Marine Affairs, received the news literally as he and his wife Natasha were boarding a flight yesterday afternoon (Saturday) to begin his first vacation since assuming ministerial office.

"I have lost a dear friend of several decades and the country is now without what was still a potent and relevant political voice, recognised and respected on all sides of the political divide," Dr. Moonilal commented.

Dr. Moonilal, who managed the environmental portfolio before the recent cabinet reconfiguration, was instrumental in the appointment of Mr. Ramnath as Chairman of the important national environmental organisation, the Environmental Manager Authority (EMA).

"Mr. Ramnath discussed several initiatives with me as Minister how the EMA could be vitalized into becoming an even more vibrant and relevant institution as it fulfilled a critical national mandate in the protection and preservation of the environment.

"His commitment to the development of Trinidad and Tobago and his passion to the upliftment of people throughout the country was manifest throughout his career as a member of Parliament and as a Minister of Government. He brought this enthusiasm to his leadership of the EMA,” Dr. Moonilal added.

Much of Dr. Moonilal‘s own two decades in politics was paralled by Mr. Ramnath’s eminence in the political world, both in opposition and in government. He was clearly a mentor to and influenced the development of many entering the field of politics.

“His service and commitment to his constituents and to the national community as a whole, his passionate championing of the rights and entitlements of people every where, voiced through articulate and incisive presentations in Parliament and political platforms served as an inspiration to us young politicians.”

“Despite moving on from being an active politician his observations and intuitions remained absolutely valid and relevant. “

“He will be missed by me and many other persons to whom he gave freely of his time and advice.”

Dr. Moonlal is joined his wife, Natasha, in offering deep sympathies to the wife and family of the late Kelvin Ramnath.