Port of Spain, Trinidad – Following the formal swearing-in of her new Cabinet, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar outlined key priorities for her administration aimed at revitalizing Trinidad and Tobago’s economy, enhancing citizen security, and strengthening regional energy ties.
The ceremony, held at President’s House in Port of Spain, marked the official commencement of Persad-Bissessar’s latest term in office. In her address, the Prime Minister emphasized that her government had already begun acting on its mandate to pursue economic transformation and national security reform.
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Economic Revival Underway
Persad-Bissessar signaled a shift toward fiscal responsibility and new revenue-generation strategies. She revealed that Finance Minister Vasant Bharath has been tasked with conducting an immediate review of the national treasury to assess the country’s financial standing.
“My Finance Minister has been mandated to find out what is the state of the treasury before we can run off to… We don’t only talk the talk, we walk the walk. But I will know the status of the treasury on Monday,” she stated.
The administration’s fiscal strategy is expected to include exploration of alternative revenue streams and targeted public sector investments, pending the results of the treasury review.
National Security and Gun Law Reform
Addressing public concerns over rising crime, Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar announced that Attorney General John Jeremie has been directed to draft and implement critical security legislation. These include the controversial Stand Your Ground and Home Invasion laws, intended to empower citizens to protect themselves in the event of violent crimes committed in their homes or immediate surroundings.
She further disclosed plans to ease firearm access for law-abiding citizens under new regulatory frameworks.
“These will not require too much money,” Persad-Bissessar noted, suggesting the legal reforms would be cost-effective yet impactful.
This move aligns with her administration’s broader commitment to national safety and legislative modernization.
Regional Energy Diplomacy
In a notable foreign policy pivot, the Prime Minister announced that newly appointed Minister of Energy, Dr. Roodal Moonilal, will immediately begin pursuing regional energy partnerships—particularly with Guyana and Grenada—as part of efforts to secure long-term energy security and regional cooperation.
“I intend to send my Minister of Energy to Grenada. I am told Grenada’s offshore field has more gas and oil than the Dragon Field, so we can live and work together,” Persad-Bissessar said.
The reference to the Dragon Gas Field, a major natural gas reservoir located off Venezuela’s coast, underscores the strategic importance of Grenada’s unexplored offshore resources.
Commitment to Tobago
The Prime Minister also reaffirmed her government’s commitment to inclusive development, explicitly assuring that Tobago would not be sidelined. She pledged collaborative engagement with the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) to advance development on the island.
This inclusive approach is expected to address long-standing concerns over equitable resource allocation and infrastructure development in Tobago.
