‘National treasure’ Draper laid to rest

TEARS and tributes flowed freely at the Trinity Cathedral in Port-of-Spain yesterday, as hundreds of people from all walks of life came out to pay their final respects to former government minister Gordon Draper, hailing him as a “national treasure.” Draper died last week in London. However, the most heart-rending tribute came from Draper’s childhood friend, Health Minister John Rahael, who solemnly vowed that Draper’s daughters would never be without a father figure in their lives. With tear-filled eyes, Rahael turned to Draper’s family and said, “I know no one can replace Gordon. Jamila, Natasha and Lauren, whenever you need me to deputise (for Gordon) all you have to do is call.” Even before the service, Rahael was on the verge of tears as he stood beside Draper’s casket, and had to be comforted by Planning and Development Minister Camille Robinson-Regis.

Inside the casket, beside Draper’s body, lay a small letter from his daughters bearing the simple inscription “Daddy.” Among those present were 17 government ministers led by acting Prime Minister Joan Yuille-Williams. Also present were Senate president Dr Linda Baboolal and speaker of the House of Representatives Barry Sinanan, UNC chairman Wade Mark and Opposition MPs Winston Dookeran and Chandresh Sharma. Rahael recalled the chronology of his friendship with Draper from primary school days to the corridors of government, and all the “fulfilling moments” in between. The minister said he helped Draper to win the Port-of-Spain North/St Ann’s West seat in 1992, and Draper returned the favour when he won that seat in 2000.

He said while Draper held numerous Cabinet positions, his legacy would always be the steps he took to initiate public sector reform in Trinidad and Tobago. “It was not long before he was courted by the international community. His model of public sector reform was adopted by no less than 25 countries, and it became impossible for him not to respond to persistent demands for his expertise abroad,” Rahael stated. Recalling that many people criticised Draper for being an absentee MP, Rahael said, “Despite his onerous duties as a Cabinet minister, Gordon continued to show deep and abiding concern for the welfare of his constituents. He entrusted specific roles to persons in leadership in his constituency, including myself as Mayor of Port-of-Spain at the time.”