REGIONAL: Trinidad’s Energy Minister Franklin Khan dies

SOURCE: Trinidad Express — Trinidad and Tobago’s Energy Minister Franklin Khan passed away at his home on Saturday morning.

He leaves to mourn wife Laura, and two children.

In an immediate response, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley extended his deepest condolences to Khan’s family.

The Prime Minister said he was “extremely saddened by the passing of his colleague and friend” who will be remembered as a man who dedicated his life to public service.

He said Khan was a patriot and son of the soil.

Government ministers, Members of Parliament and members of the Opposition also extended condolences to Khan’s family.

Khan was being treated for years for heart disease.

In late 2016, Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Stuart Young denied reports that Khan had a heart attack while on vacation in Thailand.

Young did confirm, however, that Minister Khan was hospitalised. He said it was due to a viral infection leading to excess fluid in his lungs.

In February 2017, Khan took leave after having a procedure done for heart-related issues.

Khan had the procedure done shortly after his return to T&T from Thailand.

The Government said then that Khan’s surgery was successful and he would remain on leave while he recuperated.

In April 2020 he underwent another medical procedure.

Khan is originally from Guayaguayare, a village on Trinidad’s east coast.

He was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Ortoire/Mayaro in 2002. He was then appointed Minister of Works and Transport, a position which he held until May 2005.

Following the 2015 general election, Franklin Khan was appointed to the Senate as a member of the 11th Parliament.

Franklin Khan was a Petroleum Geologist by profession, having spent twenty years in the energy sector both locally and abroad in a wide range of positions both at the technical and managerial levels.