THE funeral of Premchand Sookoo, former chairman of the Penal/Debe Regional Corporation takes place today (Thursday, February 13, 2025).
The funeral service takes place at 8 am Ramai Trace, Debe.
Sookoo was a long standing member of the United National Congress (UNC).
UNC’s political leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar had issued a statement on his passing calling him a a pioneer in the field of Local Government, a veteran committed to service in the Penal Debe Regional Corporation, and a stalwart of the United National Congress.
Beginning his career at the Victoria County Council in 1977, Premchand was motivated by politics as an avenue to change the lives of those around him, especially in his community. As a result, he contested his first election in 1983 for a seat within the then-Victoria Council, which seat was later incorporated into the then newly created Penal Debe Regional Corporation in 1990.
Premchand spent 33 years, from 1983 to 2016, serving the people of Barrackpore West Electoral District as their elected councillor.
Persad-Bissessar said, “As Chairman of the PDRC, he exemplified innovation, tenacity, and dynamism. His work was instrumental in enriching community infrastructure, alleviating flooding in many districts, and implementing key programs to better the socio-economic fabric of this region.”
Sookoo’s dedication to public service, commitment to representative politics and his burgesses led to him receiving the Public Service Medal of Merit (Gold) in 2010.
He was also awarded a UNC Long Service Award for his distinguished service at the party’s 35th-anniversary celebrations.
“Premchand Sookhoo left an indelible mark on the lives of all those he encountered and was an advocate for the people his entire life. He will always be the people’s representative and an icon for those new to the political arena to look up to. The UNC will always be grateful for Premchand Sookoo’s pivotal work. We have lost a faithful servant and son of our soil,” Persad-Bissessar said.
The final rites for Sookoo will be performed at the Shore of Peace Mosquito Creek, La Romaine.
