Why is the TT opposition giving Manning a free ride?

I have asked myself over and over again why the opposition in Trinidad and Tobago remains calm while the nation burns. I have heard all kinds of lame and unfounded excuses, including a media bias. But I am always totally confused when there are critical national issues at stake and those elected to serve the people and protect their interests remain silent.

Take the latest bacchanal between Keith Rowley and his former boss, Patrick Manning.

I have heard some opposition advisers dismiss the whole affair as another PNM scheme to distract attention from the real national issues. What nonsense!

Let’s look at what is happening and why the opposition should be pouncing on Manning and demanding answers.

Manning stood up Parliament and admitted that there was a discrepancy involving $10 million in the Cleaver Heights Housing Development in Arima and suggested that there was some kind of collusion between the then housing minister Keith Rowley and the contractor, NH International.

That is corruption no matter how you cut it, unless, of course, Manning was lying through his teeth. And if he was fabricating the story just to malign Rowley and NH boss, Emile Elias, then he is guilty of contempt of Parliament.

But Manning has letters, which he says, proves his case about that $10 million. Therefore, by his own admission, Manning indicted himself and his government in corruption.

It is corruption because the prime minister, who presides over cabinet, who is the captain of the ship, is saying some years ago he discovered that $10 million was missing and he then promptly shut up and did nothing about it.

It is corruption because the prime minister never disclosed this to the public, never asked for a forensic audit or demanded answers from his minister, who was at time a member of the PNM tribe. See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil. Protect the tribe.

It is corruption because $10 million of taxpayers’ money remains missing and has been missing for several years. And if Rowley had remained in the club, shut his mouth and refrained from attacking Manning, the nation would have never known about it.

And here's another question. Why did Manning reappoint Rowley to his cabinet knowing that under Rowley's charge $10 million was missing?

That is the context in which the opposition needs to present this issue to the nation. And I’ll bet that journalists would be more than happy to cover the story if those who run the communication and media affairs of the party are willing to do their jobs and deal with the issue.

The role of the opposition in a parliamentary democracy is to be vigilant on behalf of the people, to keep the government in check and to represent the interests of those constituents whose voices are silenced by the majority.

It means taking control of the national agenda and putting critical issues on the front burner. The vigilance must not and cannot be a flash in the pan, a quick response to a singular issue or a vague press release.

It must be a continuous battle to demand accountability and transparency in government affairs, and fairness and equality for all the people, all of the time.

The opposition must also be pro-active in providing solutions to national problems and demonstrating that it is an alternative to the governing party. Sadly, with some exceptions, the opposition in Trinidad and Tobago continues to abdicate its responsibility.

And the current fiasco is a good example.

Why, for instance, is the opposition not seizing the opportunity to revisit other matters of alleged corruption and discrepancies?

Manning has opened a door for the opposition through his own vendetta with Rowley and the opposition is looking then other way.

They have files on Manning and evidence of discrepancies and alleged corruption. And they have staff paid by the state to do the necessary research. So why leave Manning alone?

It is easy to blame the media for not running with the opposition agenda, but much more difficult to develop effective communication strategies to make the media notice and act.

That’s where the opposition is falling down and disappointing those who look to it for leadership.

Roodal Moonilal told me last year that Manning and his team of political novices is no match for the power of the opposition and predicted that Manning’s government would fall long before another election is due. I have heard the same boast from Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj.

But so far that opposition power has not rattled Manning and he continues to command the agenda while the opposition watches and waits. Like Nero, they fiddle while Rome burns.

George Bush didn’t get to the White House by accident. Bill Clinton got re-elected in spite of the damning Republican inquisition about his personal financial dealings his affair with Monica Lewinsky.

Somebody should ask James Carville why.

And the opposition should wake up and do its job. To do less is to betray the nation.