The following is the full speech of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, delivered after she was sworn in on May 1 at President’s House, St Ann’s:

This evening, we as a nation stand together at the beginning of a new five-year government term.

A five-year term, where the real people of Trinidad and Tobago will be put at the forefront.

I say thank you to GOD and to our citizens of our beloved country. The campaign is over. You know our message of love, care and happiness.

I thank you again for believing our message. I thank you with all my heart.

My role as your newly-elected Prime Minister is simple: it is to love you and to do everything possible to make you and your loved ones happy.

For too long, you have carried the heavy burden of a government that seems to have forgotten you.

It is time we rise to the occasion and let citizens take their rightful place side by side with their new Government.

It is said, "To whom much is given, much is expected."

We, as a nation and a people, have been blessed with much, and admittedly, we have also wasted much, unfortunately.

It is time we set Trinidad and Tobago on a right path, where we cease to govern to simply win the next general election and instead govern to create wealth and opportunities for seven generations into the future.

In these circumstances, we must do better, we must be more innovative, we must create meaningful opportunities, and do right by all people so that we all, united as a Nation, can step boldly into the future with confidence.

I know that we have to be strategic, we have to be inclusive, we have to be dedicated, and we have to be focused on becoming the best versions of ourselves.

This day starts the journey to rebuild our economy, restore our security, revolutionise our access to technology, diversify our revenue streams and renew our people's hope, faith and confidence to propel our beloved nation forward.

Some of the seeds we will plant in this five-year journey will blossom into trees whose fruit we may not eat, but our children, grandchildren, and the generations to come will certainly eat that fruit.

Our highest priority will be not just to communicate with you, but to commune with you.

I will never be detached from your feelings and aspirations.

I will never do my own thing while the country cries out for their needs.

I will always be listening. I will be following you.

You will be my priority. You must always know that you have leaders who cares and understands your problems.

I understand how many of you who have been forgotten feel.

After demitting the office of the Prime Minister in 2015, for the last ten years, I was a woman scorned, a pariah to many, because in their eyes, I had nothing material to give.

For ten years, my companionship was a photo of my mother hanging on the wall in my office and my husband and children and indeed the loyal UNC rank and file members because they loved me for me and not for what I could give. Then I had friends who came and who never left for all these yea