Second Time Within a Week
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (Sept 1, 2017) – Robert Le Hunte, a former banker in Ghana, was sworn in Thursday night as a Senator and Minister of Public Utilities for the second time within a one week period.
Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley had earlier this week blamed a “communication hitch” for rescinding the appointment of Le Hunte, who had subsequently returned to the African country to revoke his Ghanaian citizenship.
Rowley insisted that Le Hunte was a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago and the embattled minister apologised to the country for the situation regarding his citizenship saying he was unaware that his dual citizenship would have been a factor in his appointment as a government minister.
“I would like to apologise to the prime minster as I did to people of Trinidad and Tobago for this communication glitch and I want to take full responsibility and also want to say emphatically at the time of my swearing in last Thursday based on the professional advise and information provided to me the concept of dual citizenship was not an issue,” he said.
Le Hunte takes over the portfolio from Prime Minister Rowley, who had taken responsibility for public utilities here after he had dismissed attorney Marlene McDonald from his cabinet for a second time in July.
Le Hunte took the oath of office on Thursday night, as hundreds of citizens gathered at the Queen’s Park Savannah, a stone throw from the Office of President Anthony Carmona, to watch a fireworks display as part of the 55th anniversary of the country’s political independence from Britain.
Le Hunte becomes the fifth person to be sworn in as Public Utilities Minister since Rowley led the People’s National Movement (PNM) to victory in the 2015 general election. – CMC
PHOTO CREDIT: TRINIDAD & TOBAGO GUARDIAN