Story Created:
Mar 19, 2013 at 9:59 PM ECT
Story Updated:
Mar 21, 2013 at 10:45 AM ECT
Senate President Timothy Hamel-Smith has urged parliamentarians to heed the words of new President Anthony Carmona in his inaugural speech.
Hamel-Smith was speaking during the Senate sitting yesterday held at Tower D, Port of Spain International Waterfront Centre.
He offered congratulations to Carmona, this country's fifth President, inaugurated on Monday at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain, and the titular head of Parliament. In his inaugural speech, Carmona admonished the Parliament, stating that "waffle abounds" on crime and they "must no longer engage in tired politics on this issue".
"What is needed is a truly collaborative effort among the stakeholders to address the crisis that is crime," he had said.
Hamel-Smith yesterday noted that the new President had specific words for the Parliament and he urged members to "take heed".
He said he had no doubt that Carmona's speech would touch the hearts and minds of citizens. He also said that a letter of congratulations from the Parliament would be sent to Carmona.
He noted with the newly inaugurated President and with the inauguration of Pope Francis, yesterday morning the world "turned a new page" and entered a "new phase".
"So I'm sure that we all look forward to this new era with delight and acclaim," he said.
Tongues were wagging after President Carmona's inaugural speech on Monday evening with commentators such as analyst Winford James saying that he had made it clear that he was his own man.
