PM: They are deserving

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar yesterday defended her decision to award politicians and former Members of Parliament Winston Dookeran and Errol McLeod the nation’s highest award—the Order of Trinidad and Tobago. 

Speaking to members of the media after the Police Service Independence Day function at the Police Administration Building on St Vincent Street, Port-of-Spain, Persad-Bissessar said that Dookeran is a long standing politician, an economist, and McLeod is a dedicated labour leader, both of whom have contributed tremendously to the nation. 

Dookeran, the founder of the Congress of the People and McLeod, a former founder of the Movement for Social Justice, were key figures in forming the coalition People’s Partnership which came into office in 2010. 

When asked about the criticisms she has received on social media about giving two politicians the Order of the Republic of T&T, Persad-Bissessar said, “There are some people always on social media who find everything I do very odd. I think they are very deserving.”

She stated that as a long standing economist Dookeran has served in public life, in academic life and at the Central Bank, and that he has given back a lot to the country.

“Mr Dookeran has served in public life, academic life and at the Central Bank, he is a well known economist and I think he is very deserving. He is no longer a Member of Parliament and that is important to note,” she said. 

Addressing McLeod’s achievements she said that McLeod, a former president general of Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union for 21 years, was a hard-working trade unionist who fought for the rights of workers. She also reaffirmed that as an outgoing MP, and like Dookeran, he will not be contesting this year’s general elections on September 7. 

“Minister McLeod is no longer an MP as well, and will not be an MP, as Dookeran will not be an MP. He too was a great trade unionist in all the decades that he has served. He is well deserving of that order. One an economist and one a person standing up for the rights of workers; I think they are both well deserving,” she said.

Former head of the public service Reginald Dumas said yesterday he was not disagreeing with giving Dookeran or McLeod the award, but there must be a reform in the way that people are selected for the national awards. 

He emphasised that there should be an independent process adopted to ensure that the award is a national honour and not awarded because of nepotism.

“People get awards, I regret to say, who do not deserve awards, because they have done some favour or service to the party, or to the Prime Minister personally,” Dumas said. 

Opposition leader, Dr Keith Rowley, said yesterday that he had nothing to say about the awards and he will not comment on the awards. 

About the award

The Order of the Republic of T&T was installed as this country’s new highest national award 2008, replacing the Trinity Cross for Distinguished and Outstanding Service to T&T. The name change arose after complaints from Hindu and Muslim religious leaders that it was not representative of all faiths.

Some of the former recipients of the Trinity Cross include: Dr Rudranath Capildeo for his contribution in the sphere of Science, Sir Ellis Clarke, QC who drafted the Constitution of Independent T&T, Sir Solomon Hochoy, the then Governor General and Ex-Officio of T&T, and Sir Hugh Wooding, for his contribution to Justice as he was the then Chief Justice.

Last year former prime ministers Basdeo Panday and Patrick Manning were offered the Order of T&T, but they both declined. 

The National Awards Committee is chaired by Chief Justice Ivor Archie.