Heat fells four soldiers at Parliament opening

SWELTERING HEAT and humidity caused four members of the Trinidad and Tobago Regiment to collapse during yesterday’s military parade to mark the ceremonial opening of Parliament. One soldier had to be carried away by his senior officers even as President George Maxwell Richards made his way towards the podium around 11.18 am to salute the Guard of Honour for the last time, to officially end yesterday’s proceedings.

From as early as 7 am, the entire area surrounding the Red House was cordoned off by heavily-armed policemen and soldiers in full battle gear. Security was especially tight at the nearby Port-of-Spain Magistrates Court and Hall of Justice where cases involving Jamaat-al-Muslimeen leader Yasin Abu Bakr and former Local Government Minister Dhanraj Singh respectively were being heard. Prime Minister Patrick Manning and his wife, Education Minister Hazel Manning, were the first parliamentarians to arrive at the Red House. Several parliamentarians filtered into the Red House to varying responses from the unusually small crowd. One onlooker attributed the size of the crowd to many people being unaware of Parliament’s re-opening yesterday. Junior Culture Minister Eddie Hart was warmly greeted while St Augustine MP Winston Dookeran, who is widely tipped as the likely successor to UNC Political Leader Basdeo Panday, made his way inside virtually unnoticed.

Around 10.13 am, Chief Justice Sat Sharma led members of the Judiciary into the Parliament building with TT Defence Force Chief of Staff, Brigadier Ancil Antoine and Coast Guard Commander, Capt Garnett Best, bringing up the rear. Several senior police officers, including ACP (Operations) Oswyn Allard took in the proceedings from the street. Garbed in full ceremonial attire, House Speaker Barry Sinanan and Senate Vice-President Rawle Titus emerged from the Red House around 10.20 am as the presidential motorcade arrived. With the Trinity Cross worn proudly around his neck, President Richards strolled briskly down the red carpet to inspect the Guard of Honour and take the salute. However no sooner had the President, First Lady Dr Jean Richards and their daughter Maxine entered the Parliament and the presidential fanfare died down, three soldiers had to be escorted away for treatment. Senior officers were observed moving up and down the ranks of the Guard of Honour at regular intervals, checking upon the health of each soldier. Last month, several soldiers collapsed from heat exhaustion during a passing out parade at Teteron Barracks.