PRIME Minister Portia Simpson Miller will represent Jamaica at today's celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of Independence of Trinidad and Tobago.

While in Trinidad & Tobago, Prime Minister Simpson Miller will participate in a number of celebratory activities, including the Independence Day Military Parade, the President's Toast to the Nation on the 50th anniversary of Independence, a private luncheon hosted by Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar, a national awards ceremony, a cultural show and extravaganza and the Prime Minister's Golden Jubilee Gala.

Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago both celebrate their golden jubilee of Independence this month, having been the first two countries in the Caribbean to gain political independence from Britain in 1962. The Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister was among several dignitaries who participated in the Jamaica 50 Independence celebrations on August 6.

While Prime Minister Simpson Miller is off the island, Robert Pickersgill, the minister of water, land, environment and climate change, will be in charge of the government.