Guyana extends condolences on passing of former TT President

The Government of Guyana on Tuesday sent a message of sympathy to the Government of Trinidad and Tobago on the passing of the twin-island Republic’s former President George Maxwell Richards. The following is the message in its entirety:

“The Ministry of the Presidency, through the Department of Public Information (DPI), conveys on behalf of the President, Government and people of Guyana, its deepest condolences to the President, Government and people of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago, on the passing of Professor George Maxwell Richards, former President. Guyana, along with the people of Trinidad, and Caricom, mourns the loss of a distinguished son, who during his two terms of President, helped to advance the cause of the integration movement. A chemical engineer and Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Professor Richards will be remembered for, among other things, his renowned contributions that lifted the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of the West Indies (UWI), to international standards.”

The 86-year-old Richards suffered a heart attack on Monday and was admitted to hospital in critical condition. He later died.

Richards was the country’s fourth President whose time in office spanned 2003 to 2013. A chemical engineer by training, Richards was Principal of the St. Augustine campus of the University of the West Indies in Trinidad from 1984 to 1996. He previously worked for Shell Trinidad Ltd before joining the University of the West Indies in 1965.

(Kaieteur News)