Panday, Dookeran slam Manning for 'hiding from the people'.

The leaders of the two main opposition parties in Trinidad and Tobago has slammed Prime Minister Patrick Manning for ignoring people in La Brea this week who had gathered to protest the start of construction for a power station to supply a proposed smelter.

Manning drove past the demonstrators and commented that they were not from La Brea. In dismissing the protesters, Manning said these people were"anti-smelter outsiders with no business in La Brea".

Read the story: Manning launches mega-project, scoffs at protesters

Opposition leader Basdeo Panday told reporters Manning's behaviour is not surprising but also observed that it's a sad day when the prime minister has to hide from the people.

"We warned the people that if they had voted for the PNM (People's National Movement) that this was going to be the result, we hope they have learnt their lesson. When a prime minister and the Government have reached the position where they are taking action and spending millions of dollars of the people's money and they have to hide from them, I think we are in trouble," Panday said.

He said if the people have evidence that the proposed smelter would be dangerous to their health, the Government has the resources to prove them wrong and if they cannot do that, then the project must be stopped.

Manning has rejected people's concerns. He told reporters, “Let me make it clear if there is one project in which there have been very widespread consultation before the project started it is the aluminium smelter and power plant that goes with it.”

Panday said the the Manning administration has always treated the people with contempt, and this is seen in their handling of other pressing issues such as crime, constitutional reform and local government.

Political Leader of the Congress of the People (COP) Winston Dookeran also had harsh words for Manning, saying the prime minister's refusal to speak with citizens is a grave insult. He said members of the COP were present and contrary to what Manning said there were also a number of people from La Brea.