Keith Rowley


Keith Christopher Rowley is the current Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, in office since September 2015. He has led the People's National Movement since May 2010 and was Leader of the Opposition from 2010 to 2015. He has also served as the Member of the House of Representatives for Diego Martin West since 1991. He is a volcanologist who obtained his doctorate in geology, specializing in geochemistry.

Career

Rowley was a pupil of Bishop's High School, Tobago, and graduated from the University of the West Indies. He holds a graduate degree in geology, specializing in geochemistry. He first served in Parliament as an Opposition Senator from 1987 to 1990. Subsequently, he was appointed as Minister of Agriculture, Land and Marine Resources, Minister of Planning and Development and Minister of Housing and Minister of Trade and Industry.

Leader of the Opposition

Following the People's National Movement's defeat in the 2010 general election, Rowley was appointed as Leader of the Opposition. Rowley has served on several parliamentary committees. In 2004, he chaired the Joint Select Committee of Parliament which examined and made recommendations for the live broadcasting of parliamentary debates.

Prime Minister

Rowley led the People's National Movement in the September 2015 general election, in which his party secured 23 out of 41 seats in the House of Representatives to form the government, defeating the previous People's Partnership coalition government. On 9 September 2015, Rowley was sworn in as Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago by President Anthony Carmona, and is credited for revival of the local natural gas sector and laying groundwork for further oil and gas exploration, the largest economic sector of Trinidad and Tobago.

Personal life

Rowley is married to Sharon Rowley. He is the father of four children, two sons and two daughters.