Newly-appointed government Senator Pastor Terance Baynes said he is humbled by his appointment to the upper house on Monday. Baynes, who is also a commissioner on the Port Authority Board said he was somewhat surprised by the decision.

While other Senators were given Cabinet portfolios, Baynes is yet to be identified for a specific position.

However, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissesar announced on Monday that many portfolios would be realigned and responsibilities shifted, opening up the way for new Senator such as the Baynes.

In an exclusive interview with Tobago News, the Pastor of New Heritage Christian Fellowship said his appointment will strengthen the political presence of Tobago in the Parliament. "It will be another voice enunciating the concerns and aspirations of the Tobago people," he noted.

Baynes said he will continue to use his gifts and abilities to uplift mankind, and more importantly our country.

Not everyone is happy about his appointment; some callers to radio and television programmes have expressed concern about a Pastor being involved in politics. Baynes would not give much though to these comments. "That's a question that has been sufficiently ventilated and answered since

the last THA election; people have their personal views, and that's all those are," he stated.

The Public Relations Officer of the TOP, when questioned if his acceptance of the role in the Senate means he would relinquish plans for the THA election, responded by saying, "That's obvious, I can't do both."