Sookhai 'pumped up' on political debut at PNM meeting

FORMER Chaguanas Chamber of Industry and Commerce president Richie Sookhai was brimming with energy as he made his political debut on Friday when he addressed a PNM political meeting in Chaguanas.

On January 18, Sookhai was appointed as a government senator by then president Paula Mae-Weekes, acting on advice of the Prime Minister.

His appointment came after the resignation of then Senate president Christine Kangaloo who was later sworn-in as the country's president.

In an interview with Newsday on January 21, Sookhai said he wanted to serve the people of TT.

He did not rule out the possibility of that service possibly being as a future candidate for the PNM, as a government minister or parliamentary secretary.

On April 14, Kangaloo appointed Sookhai as Minister in the Ministry of Works and Transport.

Sookhai told party supporters, "This is my first time on stage. I'm excited. I'm pumped."

He recalled being invited to a breakfast meeting with Dr Rowley, Port of Spain North/St Ann’s West MP Stuart Young, Minister of Works and Transport Rohan Sinanan and Minister of Agriculture, Lands and Fisheries Kazim Hosein.

He said Hosein recognised his contributions as a businessman and asked him if he was willing to do the same thing at a national level.

Sookhai urged voters to buy into the message of local government reform being advocated by the PNM.

"The structure cannot continue like the way it is, and this is where local government reform is important."

He told his audience that all organisations have a lifespan and at times, must pivot to grow and sustain themselves.

Sookhai said with 60-plus years behind it, the PNM is the only political party that understands what sustainability is.

"Local government reform is by taking back the control of state funds, your funds, to bring the services that you all deserve."

Minister in the Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs Renuka Sagramsingh-Sooklal agreed with Sookhai about the importance of local government reform. She urged people to vote resoundingly for the PNM on August 14 if they want real local government reform.

"I'm making a clarion call – the war call to the people of TT. Go out and spread the glory of the PNM."

The meeting also saw the presentation of PNM local government candidates for the Chaguanas Borough Corporation and the Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo Regional Corporation, both of which are controlled by the Opposition UNC.

PNM Enterprise North/Esmeralda candidate Lisa Holder said, "A vote for (local government) reform is a vote for safe and secure communities."

She said this would no longer see people having to put up signs in their communities saying "no criminal activity here."

Holder asked burgesses what improvements in their quality of life have they received in Chaguanas since the UNC has controlled the corporation over the last three years.