Paray, Rambharat pay tribute to Mayaro ‘homeboy’ Franklin Khan

Mayaro MP Rushton Paray and Agriculture Minister Clarence Rambharat have paid tribute to Energy Minister Franklin Khan who died suddenly overnight Friday.

In a tribute to “hometown boy” Khan, Paray, on Saturday, joined with the constituency in expressing condolences.

“Mr Khan was born in the Mayaro community and served as MP for the constituency. As a product of an oil district, he was attracted to the industry and studied geology. His subsequent ministerial portfolios included Energy and Energy Industries.

“Throughout his years in public service, he retained great affinity to the communities of Mayaro, Guayaguayare and surrounding areas.”

While they were on opposing political sides, Paray, representing the United National Congress (UNC) and Khan the People’s National Movement (PNM), and held contrasting positions on national development, Paray said, “I appreciated Mr Khan’s public service and his loyalty to the community of his birth.

“The Mayaro constituency is grateful for his service to his nation. May his soul rest in peace.”

Khan’s PNM colleague in the Senate and fellow Mayaro resident Clarence Rambharat said in a Facebook post, “My Mayaro friend has left us.”

“I always considered Mr Khan to be our conscience, a true country boy, a true oil and gas man and the one whose praise or buff you took in the knowledge that it was genuine.

“We worked closely to manage the work of the Senate and his advice and support was given generously and received with the highest regard.”

Rambharat recalled their last conversation on Friday.

“It is fitting that our final conversation yesterday (Friday) was about Mayaro, Ortoire, Ducky, Oistins, Carenage, plantain, breadfruit and some good laughs.”

He expressed heart break at his passing.

“It is heart breaking even as we accept that life includes death,” Rambharat said.