Mixed reviews for Mc Donald,Hinds

While some responded favourably saying her new portfolio as Minister of Public Utilities will enable her to provide jobs for constituents, others described her as a non-performer with an unapproachable disposition.

Resident Rolston Baboolal, a vocal and involved member of the community, said Mc Donald’s new role augured well for government and the people.

“Marlene Mc Donald is one of the best MPs that I see who is really bright and bring forward many things to the Cabinet and also to the people of Trinidad and Tobago,” Baboolal told Newsday along Picadilly Street, mere footsteps away from Mc Donald’s constituency office.

He said as Public Utilities minister, Mc Donald will be able to assist unemployed youth in the troubled area.

“She will be able to take people behind the bridge and put them in places like WASA and T&TEC. I feel proud for my MP. I have a great love and understanding with her and I am glad she come back an MP.” Mc Donald, an attorney, had previously held the housing ministry portfolio after the PNM won the September 2015 general election.

Baboolal, who lives near to the Clifton Street Towers, dismissed the view that Mc Donald was a non-performer.

“She is a performer but people don’t understand the woman.

I deal personally with Marlene Mc Donald and I am telling you that she will be the next MP and political leader of the PNM.

“Once people listen to what she say, everybody will get work in the Port-of-Spain South area.” Fifteen months after she was relieved from the Cabinet for her alleged role in the approval of grants to the Calabar Foundation as Minister of Community Development under the former Patrick Manning administration as well as the issuing of a Housing Development Corporation home to her friend, Michael Carew - matters which were before the Integrity Commission - Mc Donald was returned to the Cabinet late on Wednesday, replacing Fitzgerald Hinds as Public Utilities minister.

Hinds has been appointed Minister in the Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs.