(Trinidad Express) “I’m really really sorry”. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has apologised for the controversial appointment of Reshmi Ramnarine as head of the then Security Intelligence Agency (SIA).
Persad-Bissessar made the apology at a Town Hall meeting at the Country Club, Maraval on Thursday night when a member from the audience asked her to name one regret that she had during her tenure. Ramnarine, then 31, was appointed as SIA head in January 2011. An exclusive Express exposé found that Ramnarine was under-qualified for the position, having moved as a junior technician in the organisation earning some $5,000 to the top with a package close to $50,000.
Ramnarine’s resume was embellished with false qualifications. Public outrage over the scandal led to Ramnarine’s resignation. The Prime Minister has never explained what led to Ramnarine’s appointment but on Thursday she said she was ill advised and betrayed.
