Former People's National Movement (PNM) minister in the ministry of finance, Mariano Browne, commenting on the appointment of Larry Howai as Finance Minister, said yesterday Howai had all the necessary attributes to be a good Minister of Finance.

"The real issue is this: is he going to be sufficiently strong in that political environment to say no? Because the pressure will be on (him) to spend money at a time that we just don't have it," Browne said.

Meanwhile, new Food Production Minister Devant Maharaj yesterday strongly endorsed Jack Warner's appointment to the Ministry of National Security, saying he was worried for the criminals.

"I am sorry for the bandits because Jack Warner would bring a level of energy to the Ministry of National Security never before seen under any administration," Maharaj said.

He said Warner's appointment was the answer to the cries of the people in terms of seeing and feeling something was happening (to alleviate the crime situation).

On his own move to Food Production, Maharaj said he saw this ministry as very important because Government wanted to reduce the food import bill and increase food security. He said the food inflation was a critical component of national inflation.

His predecessor, Vasant Bharath, who now goes to Trade and Investment, is widely regarded on all sides of the political divide as one of the most competent Food Production Ministers the country has ever seen.

Political observers yesterday said Bharath's personality and talent will now serve the country well in soothing and smoothing over the growing tensions between Trinidad and Tobago and some of its Caricom trading partners.

New Communications Minister Jamal Mohammed said it was a great honour to be asked to serve. He said his greatest supporter was his sister, Nafeesa Mohammed, who chairs the San Juan/ Laventille for the PNM. "We agree to disagree with dignity," he said, adding that it was still his goal to convert her.

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Former People's National Movement (PNM) minister in the ministry of finance, Mariano Browne, commenting on the appointment of Larry Howai as Finance Minister, said yesterday Howai had all the necessary attributes to be a good Minister of Finance.

"The real issue is this: is he going to be sufficiently strong in that political environment to say no? Because the pressure will be on (him) to spend money at a time that we just don't have it," Browne said.

Meanwhile, new Food Production Minister Devant Maharaj yesterday strongly endorsed Jack Warner's appointment to the Ministry of National Security, saying he was worried for the criminals.

"I am sorry for the bandits because Jack Warner would bring a level of energy to the Ministry of National Security never before seen under any administration," Maharaj said.

He said Warner's appointment was the answer to the cries of the people in terms of seeing and feeling something was happening (to alleviate the crime situation).

On his own move to Food Production, Maharaj said he saw this ministry as very important because Government wanted to reduce the food import bill and increase food security. He said the food inflation was a critical component of national inflation.

His predecessor, Vasant Bharath, who now goes to Trade and Investment, is widely regarded on all sides of the political divide as one of the most competent Food Production Ministers the country has ever seen.

Political observers yesterday said Bharath's personality and talent will now serve the country well in soothing and smoothing over the growing tensions between Trinidad and Tobago and some of its Caricom trading partners.

New Communications Minister Jamal Mohammed said it was a great honour to be asked to serve. He said his greatest supporter was his sister, Nafeesa Mohammed, who chairs the San Juan/ Laventille for the PNM. "We agree to disagree with dignity," he said, adding that it was still his goal to convert her.