PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – The presiding officers of the Trinidad and Tobago Parliament remembered the “razor-sharp wit” of former prime minister Basdeo Panday, who died Monday at 90, on Tuesday.
In a joint statement, President of the Senate Nigel De Freitas and Speaker of the House of Assembly Bridgid Annisette-George said they were saddened to learn of the passing of Panday, who first entered parliament as an opposition senator in 1972.
They recalled that Panday subsequently became a Member of the House of Representatives, representing the constituency of Couva North from 1976 to 2010.
“During that time, he would serve as Leader of the Opposition on several occasions, as Minister of External Affairs and International Trade in the National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR) Government between 1986 and 1988, and eventually as Prime Minister between 1995 and 2001.”
The two presiding officers said, “Panday was a gifted debater, a trait many attribute to his experience as a theatre practitioner in his younger days.
“The Hansard record is replete with examples of his razor-sharp wit edifying and at times entertaining an engaged House that included his political allies and opponents alike,” they said in the statement, extending condolences to Panday’s wife Oma, his daughters, relatives, and friends, “and indeed to all of Trinidad and Tobago, we extend our heartfelt condolences to this distinguished son of the soil.”
On Tuesday, the Trinidad and Tobago government ordered that the national flag be flown at half-mast on all state and non-state agencies and the country’s diplomatic missions abroad in honor of the former prime minister.
Panday had been ill in recent weeks, but the nature of his illness had not been disclosed.
In a statement posted on her Facebook page, announcing his death, his daughter, Mickela Panday, wrote that he died “surrounded by his family.
“In life and death, he was a fighter. He passed with his boots on, keeping everybody around him on their toes with his wit and humor. He will live on in all of us, remembered as a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, leader, and friend.
“He was an inspiration to his family and everybody that knew him. We will continue celebrating his life and treasure our time with him.”
Meanwhile, the government has said that a state funeral will be held for Panday and that “further details will be conveyed later.
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