(Trinidad Express) Traffic jams and flooding will be two of the pressing issues that Jack Warner, newly appointed Works and Transport Minister, will be tackling.
Warner was sworn in as a Minister in Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s Cabinet on Monday at a ceremony at Knowsley, Port of Spain.
Warner, the first member to take the oath as a Minister, was given the portfolio previously held by former PNM Government Minister, Colm Imbert.
Warner said he will begin work by trying to alleviate traffic, starting with the Priority Bus Route, which he said should be made a one-way during morning and evening periods. The Minister also said he will also be reviewing contracts signed during Imbert’s tenure.
’I have in my possession some copies of some contracts that were signed mere days before the election. In fact I have a copy of one that was signed one day after the election. Those of course I will have to review and revisit and those are the first things that I will have to tackle with the permanent secretary….any contact that was signed within the last two months will have to be reviewed, especially those that were signed after the election,’ said Warner.
He said the billion-dollar rapid rail plan which the PNM Government had envisioned was not a top priority for this country.
Asked whether his responsibilities as Vice President of FIFA would affect his work, Warner said he is capable of doing the job.
He said he will resign from various committees which demand his time.
’I can attend meetings, I can remain the Vice President but I will give up the committees of which I am chairman,’ said Warner.
He expressed confidence in Anil Roberts as the new Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs.
