Port-of-Spain -- May 27, 2010 -- Member of Parliament for Siparia and leader of the United National Congress (UNC) Kamla Persad-Bisssessar created history when she became the first female Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, following the taking of the Oath of Office administered by His Excellency President George Maxwell Richards. The ceremony was held at Knowsley, Port of Spain on May 26th 2010.

Mrs. Persad-Bissessar took the oath on a Holy Gita before an audience of fellow Members of Parliament, supporters and specially invited guests in a ceremony which lasted just over 45 minutes.

Smartly dressed in a green suit, Mrs. Persad-Bissessar was accompanied by her husband Gregory and son Kris. The ceremony commenced with the playing of the National Anthem, followed by prayers offered by Pundit Bramdeo Maharaj, President of the Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO). A performance by the Love Movement of the unifying "La Trinity" followed, after which His Excellency President George Maxwell Richards delivered remarks in which he noted that another milestone had been achieved in the country's short history.

He later invited Mrs. Persad-Bissessar to take the oath of office which was received with hearty applause and a standing ovation from guests.
In her first statement as Prime Minister, Mrs. Persad-Bissessar, spoke about the creation of a Ministry of Tobago Development and Ministry of Food Production. She also announced that the Red House will remain the seat of Parliament, which received thunderous applause.

She noted that her first act of business was a meeting with the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister Sandra Marchack and the Chief Executive Officer of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM) Col. George Robinson, to discuss flooding in parts of the country.
Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar said all Members of Parliament will visit their constituencies on Thursday May 27 2010 to meet with the people and deal with the issues.

She said her Cabinet will be announced and sworn in on Friday May 28 2010 at 10 am.

Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar also thanked the previous Patrick Manning led administration for the work it had done.