RENNIE DUMAS DIES

He served as an Opposition Senator in 2001, and then began a nine year ministerial career under former prime minister Patrick Manning.

Dumas was minister of state in the Office of the Prime Minister (2001 to 2002), minister of public utilities (2002 to 2003), minister of local government (2003 to 2007) and minister of labour (2007 to 2010). In 2007 he was elected Tobago East MP.

In an interview on I95.5FM yesterday, Dumas’ ex wife said he was suffering from a faulty heart valve for which he recently had surgery from which his family hoped he would recuperate.

She described him as “kind and generous and always willing to help others.” Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, in a media release, offered his condolences.

“Mr Dumas’ service to the people of Trinidad and Tobago signified his innate sense of patriotism which was his driving force throughout his public service career,” Rowley said.

Former minister of education and minister of local government, Hazel Manning and wife of former prime minister, the late Patrick Manning, offered her condolences to Dumas’ family.

“He was a very good colleague,” she said. “When I followed him in the Ministry of Local Government, he gave quite a lot of advice. I followed in some of his programmes. We worked closely.” Manning added, “I knew he was ill. I kept track. I kept talking to others who would tell me what was happening. I chatted with him earlier this year.

Everything was good at that time. Unfortunately he is gone.”

GOPEE-SCOON: EASY TO GET ALONG WITH

Another former Cabinet colleague, Trade Minister Paula Gope Scoon, told Newsday Dumas was “very easy to get along with.” She said, “He was very conscientious, always looking after the interest of the man in the street.

A loyal son of Tobago, God rest his soul.” Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister and Tobago East MP Ayanna Webster-Roy told Newsday Dumas was her campaign manager in the 2015 general election.

“Tobago has lost a brilliant mind. He was quite the intellect, a charismatic individual and a very committed PNM member.

He was my father’s friend, often in our house socialising. I knew Rennie as just the average man, the friendly man, the jovial man, who was always laughing and having a drink with my father at home and reminiscing about their teaching careers.” Minister of Public Administration, Maxie Cuffie, also on I95.5 FM said Dumas had made a very good contribution on Tobago issues and had championed the full integration of Trinidad and Tobago, while Tobago House of Assembly chief secretary, Kelvin Charles, said Dumas had made an invaluable contribution to both party and country.

A Ministry of Public Administration statement mourned his passing. Dumas is survived by his companion Annalean Innis and eight children.

“A towering figure, whose height earned him the nickname ‘Stretch’, Dumas was a true son of the Tobago soil. He received his secondary education at Bishop’s High School in Tobago, and regardless of where his educational and professional travels took him, he always returned to his beloved Plymouth.

“He was relentless in his pursuit of an enhanced quality of life for his fellow Tobagonians and always contributed to the discussion on the issue of greater autonomy for Tobago. His last foray into the political arena was his challenge to become the political leader of the PNM in Tobago in 2016.” Minister of Rural Development and Local Government Kazim Hosein, in a statement, hailed Dumas for his dedicated service and good governance.

“He brought his intellect, expertise and resourcefulness to every endeavour and his great service and contribution to the development of this nation that he so loved, will be remembered by his colleagues and the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago. I am grateful to stand in his wake at the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government, knowing that he has in great measure paved a way forward, especially in the area of local government reform.

LEGAL TROUBLES

Dumas, however, also faced his fair share of problems having been found guilty in April 2013 of on two counts of common assault at the Scarborough Magistrates Court. He was accused striking Roger Simon, also known as “Abdul Jabar”, in his face on June 1, 2011 with his (Dumas’) licensed firearm knocking out several of Simon’s teeth.

On the charge of common assault Dumas was fined $3,500 or nine months hard labour, and on the charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm, he was fined $15,000 or two years in jail.

Dumas appealed and the Court of Appeal set aside the conviction and ordered a new trial as the allegations against him were quite serious and justice required it.

On Facebook yesterday, those offering condolences included former Laventille West MP NiLeung Hypolite, former SWMCOL head Ray Brathwaite, and Sigler Jack, chairman of the Diego Martin West PNM constituency of Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley.

Dumas was born in Plymouth, Tobago and attended Bishop’s High School and the University of the West Indies , St Augustine.

He worked as a school teacher, as TTUTA’s Tobago representative, as coordinator of the THA’s strategic oversight unit, and as a business analyst.

A statement yesterday in the name of several family members said funeral arrangements will soon be announced. They thanked all those who provided support and comfort through his illness.

“His loss comes as a shock to us all as his will to live was strong.

But we take comfort in the fact that he is now in the safe arms of God. To those who called visited, messaged, enquired, contributed or said a prayer, we say a heartfelt thank you as without your support we would not have made it this far.” They thanked the doctors and nurses of the High Dependency Unit, Mount Hope Hospital for the dignity and respect he was given.

“Rennie, aka Stretch, was loved and respected by many and our sincere hope is that his memory continues to live on in all of us.”