Judge saves Antigua gov't from collapse

A high court judge on Wednesday declared as invalid the results of three seats in Antigua's parliament, including that of Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer.

The move left the government in limbo, placing the governing in a 7-7 tie with the opposition Antigua Labour Party (ALP).

For a while it looked like the government would fall.

But High Court Judge David Harris granted an interim stay to the ruling United Progressive Party (UPP) that was handed down earlier by Justice Louise Blenman.

The ruling means that for now the government stays in office.

Attorney General Justin Simon told reporters the country's constitution is very clear what happens in such cases.

"The Constitution makes it very clear how the Governor General acts; that first of all the Governor General appoints the person who is the leader of the party with the majority of seats in Parliament.

“In the event that there is no such party, then the Governor General, acting in her own discretion will appoint the individual who in her opinion would command the majority of the elected persons in Parliament,” Simon told reporters, following the initial judgement.

Apart from Spencer the ruling affects Tourism Minister John Maginley and Education Minister Jacqui Quinn-Leandro.

In her ruling Justice Blenman referred to breaches in the process of their election, noting that the late opening of the poll on March 12, 2009 affected the outcome in the three disputed constituencies.

Simon said the business of government must continue, adding that he has advised the prime minister and the other ministers to go to work as usual on Thursday.

"There cannot be a void in respect of the governance of the country and that can not be accepted legally or politically," Simon stressed.

The ALP and its supporters are claiming victory.

“We are absolutely elated about this decision…this judgement is a seminal one,” ALP Chairman and Deputy Leader Gaston Browne told reporters.

He also said the opposition is reviewing the judgement with its lawyers as it contemplates its next move.

“Clearly, this is the first part of the victory and we’re going to take it home to make sure there is a change in government,” he added.

The opposition now has until April 16 to challenge the stay.

Letter: So why can't the police find Hart?

Is our Police Service operating in the 21st Century?

From what we read in the local newspapers it appears doubtful that they can even claim 20th Century sophistication! No one can locate the elusive Calder Hart.

How laughable!

The latter left here under his given name bound for Miami. If he landed there the U.S. authorities can surely confirm same. Likewise a search of their records will show whether Mr. Hart left the U.S. by air or sea.

Presumably even if he crossed into Canada in this day and age of terrorphobia (my word) the Immigration authorities can shed some light on this matter.

All that this indicates is that our police force is making little, if any, effort to locate him.

Why am I, for one, not surprised? In fact I would be surprised if they were to find him.

Perhaps we should send the other COP after him. They were after all the ones who so quickly were able to obtain the evidence confirming Mrs. Hart's ex husband's advice, if not evidence, to the Uff CoE of familial links in the award of the contract to Sunway.

Please do no insult the nation any further Messrs. Manning, Philbert, etc. Just have nothing to say.

We know you are doing nothing constructive about locating him and await with bated breath an announcement that he has been located and is on his way back to face the music (not at the new Performing Art Centre in POS mark you, another of his great contributions to progress in our nation necessitating progressing to throwing good money after bad to make it even usable!)

National disgrace is what it is.

Perhaps we should fly the new $2m symbol of national pride at half mast.

We have so much to be ashamed of. Our government's integrity is dead. Time to bury them.

Yes Mr. Manning, we welcome your threat of elections. For heavens sake, ours, and your back pocket, lighten the burden and let's get the ball rolling so that we can once more walk tall......not to mention safely.

Your distraction techniques are destructive to our future.

Virginia Verity | via email

Editorial cartoon: The Sandesh Diaries

Manning faces anti-PNM protests as he slams UNC for "lack of vision"

Patrick Manning is moving into a full campaign mode with focused attacks on the opposition United National Congress, which he sees as his greatest threat.

Speaking at a political meeting in Valencia on Monday Manning told his supporters the opposition party has no vision, calling the UNC "a group of political rejects."

The meeting attracted a strong anti-PNM protest, with former loyal supporters coming out in an attempt to send Manning a message that they are no longer supporting him and the PNM candidate for the area.

They carried placards that said, among other things, "THE PNM DEAD" and some of them shouted at the meeting that the have had no representation from the MP for then area.

Another smaller group shouted KAMLA while Manning spoke.

Manning ignored the message from the protesters, focusing instead on attacks on the UNC leadership.

He said Kamla Persad-Bissessar's team comprises "has-been politicians, political rejects, people who have been resurrected from the dust in political history."

He asked his audience, "What is inspiring about the group? Who are the young, fresh minds with young, fresh ideas?’"

He added, "I am 64 years old. I don’t think there’s one of them younger than me. The most common characteristic of all of them is arthritis."

Manning also attacked UNC Chairman Jack Warner and suggested that there is an internal fight in the party between Warner and Suruj Rambachan, one of the party's three deputy leaders.

Kamla: Manning will bring back TTRA, Property Tax if he is re-elected

The leader of the opposition is calling a spade a spade and suggesting that there is hypocrisy behind the government's plan to hold debate on the Trinidad and Tobago Revenue Authority (TTRA) and rethink the hated property tax that took effect in January.

Cabinet minister Conrad Enill told the Senate Monday that the government will not go ahead with the TTRA until it completes "full consultations" with the Public Services Association (PSA).

And Finance Minister Karen Nunez-Teshiera also disclosed that Government would revise its move to increase the property tax.

But Kamla Persad-Bissessar is not impressed. Speaking with reporters following Spiritual Shouter Baptist celebrations Tuesday, said she does not trust those statements.

She noted that Prime Minister Patrick Manning is using the two issues as a political gimmick on the eve of an election and therefore he should not be trusted.

She warned that if the people re-elect Manning and the PNM the government would go full speed ahead with both plans. "I don’t think people are going to be fooled by that," she said.

The UNC leader added, "All the time they were determined that they would proceed with both the Property Tax and the Revenue Authority. I think it is a ruse into fooling people into thinking ’vote for me, I wouldn’t do it’, but I don’t think anyone is going to be fooled again."

The government had staunchly defended both measures all along and had refused opposition calls for them to be dropped. The property tax generated nationwide protests and the finance minister insisted that she won't change anything in it because it was a fairer tax and that it would benefit people.

With regard to the TTRA, government was adamant that it was necessary to reform the revenue collection system and refused to budge on it despite protests from the PSA and the opposition.

The PSA had even enlisted the help of the opposition with one PSA member being appointed as a temporary to debate the measure in the Upper House. The bill was scheduled for debate Monday when Enill announced that the government would not proceed until consultations are completed.

Both issues show a complete turnaround in the government's policies and come at a time when there is heightened speculation of an imminent general election. The statements coincide with other promises, including plans for a new health initiative that involves the building of four new hospitals and the upgrading of existing ones.

The Manning government has also just announced a $300 million development plan for Laventille.

UNC Chairman Jack Warner complained in a media release Tuesday about what he called political discrimination in the decision to leave out the Chaguanas - Couva region from the health plan.

Read the story: Jack accuses PM of political discrimination in health care plan

Persad-Bissessar also told reporters Tuesday that her party had started screening candidates for the Local Government election but now that a general election appears to be the priority the UNC will shift its focus to nominating candidates for the 41 candidates. ’

She said she cannot predict whether Manning is bluffing with his election talk, but she assured reporters that she and her party are ready for a general election.

"Our message is resonating throughout the country and I do believe we stand a very good chance to win this election," she said. The opposition leader added, "Too much has gone wrong."

Kamla, Rowley get enthusiastic reception at Shouter Baptists celebration

Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar went to the Bible Tuesday to go after Prime Minister Patrick Manning, whom she suggested is a "false prophet" in an address to the country's Baptist community as she celebrate Shouter Baptists Liberation Day.

It was the UNC government of which she was a part that proclaimed the holiday in February 1996, as one of its first acts in government and later legitimised Orisha marriages. The date of the annual holiday coincides with the repeal of the act that discriminated against the Baptist faith and members of the community.

And the leader of the UNC made a point of remembering Tubal Uriah "Buzz" Butler, a prominent Baptists for his fight that led to the repeal of the act in 1951. She also promised that she would join the Spiritual Shouter Baptists and build their school when she gets into government.

The Spiritual Shouter Baptists were drawn into the centre of the political battle when yesterday two leading figures-Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar and former government minister Dr Keith Rowley-attended and delivered addresses at their celebrations in Maloney.

The governing People’s National Movement Government had promised to build the school on lands donated to the community Maloney but so far it has not done anything in that regard.

Persad-Bissessar's audience included Diego Martin West MP Rowley, former MP for Laventille, Fitzgeral Hinds and ambassador at large, Joan Yuille-Williams. Culture Minister Marlene McDonald sent a representative to the event.

The Spiritual Shouter Baptists sang, danced and rang their bells as Persad-Bissessar and Rowley sat at the head table. When Rowley rose to speak, one woman shouted, "Patrick gone! Rowley come home!"

Persad-Bissessar, dressed in beautiful African attire, was accompanied by UNC senators Wade Mark, Dr Suruj Rambachan and Verna St Rose-Greaves and UNC executive member Dr Daphne Phillips. One of Persad-Bissessar's staunches supporters, social acutest and head of the Women’s NGO, Hazel Brown, was also there.

There was a distinct political atmosphere in the church, with politicians seizing the opportunity to deliver emotional messages to the congregation.

Persad-Bissessar reminded the audience of the UNC's recognition of their faith
and their community.

’"The UNC has supported the Spiritual Baptists in and out of Government and we continue to do so," she said. And she suggested that instead of holding more summits, Prime Minister Patrick Manning should be building schools.

Quoting from the Bible, she said, "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves. How do we tell who is a false prophet? Jesus tells us to look at the fruit."

Rowley reminded the Shouter Baptists of the importance of their day of celebration and spoke of his childhood experiences, seeing the open discrimination against the Shouter Baptists.

’I bring you greetings from Diego Martin West and the party I represent to let you know that as people, we are one people in this country, one country where every creed and race must find an equal place,’ he said.

Photo of the day: Kamla celebrates with Shouter Baptists

Read the news story: KAMLA: BUILD BAPTIST SCHOOL
Please read: Happy Shouter Baptist Liberation day - guest column by Richard Thomas

Column: Manning makes a gamble, but is the opposition ready?

Make April 9 on your calender.

That's the day the opposition in Trinidad and Tobago will try to document all Patrick Manning's misdeeds in a motion of no-confidence in the prime minister.

The opposition - and Manning - know the vote will not succeed, but the revelations likely to come out will be enough to make Manning's already waning popularity get worse.

But the motion is not what will make that day important. What makes the date special is what the prime minister intends to do on that day to pre-empt the opposition motion.

And all my political instincts tell me that Manning will announce that he is dissolving Parliament for a general election, most likely on May 3 or shortly thereafter.

And then he will march out to Woodford Square where thousands bussed in from across the country would embrace him in a well orchestrated rally to launch the election campaign.

It would be a brilliant stroke to steal the opposition's thunder and walk away with a winning hand in the opening round of the election game in which he hopes to hang a "Jack" and make a clean sweep.

Manning doesn't have to call an election until 2012. But the events of the past few months have signalled clearly to him that he is losing ground both inside his own party and at the national level.

His advisers are therefore telling him he could score a double victory in an election now by killing off the dissent in the party and getting re-elected, leaving an unprepared opposition right where it is - in opposition.

Manning is gambling on the opposition remaining splintered, so he could have a majority victory without winning half of the popular vote as happened in 2007.

However, if the opposition is truly focused on winning government it would put aside its differences and mount a joint campaign now in which the two parties - the Congress of the People (COP) and the United National Congress (UNC) - would not fight each other in any constituency.

In effect, the PNM under Manning would be facing one strong opposition candidate in each constituency, thereby preventing vote splitting. But there is no time to lose.

Apart from the cosmetic announcement last week that the COP and the UNC have agreed in principle to field only a single candidate per constituency, there is no real progress in moves for meaningful unity.

The UNC, energized by the rise of Kamla Persad-Bissessar, is firm in its commitment not to give too much to the COP; for its part the other party is equally adamant that it is strong and commands a significant constituency.

But those issues will become irrelevant if Manning pulls the plug and calls an election. All that would matter then is whether the combined opposition would see the big picture and make the necessary compromises to win an election.

The big picture, of course, is winning government. But achieving that goal is easier said than done. Manning has a plan and he has the resources to hire the best in the business to make it happen.

When he went to the Senate Monday to make what are obviously grand electioneering promises he was sending the clearest possible signal that he is ready to take his chances with the electorate.

What he tossed into the mix were two of the most controversial issues today: the proposed Trinidad and Tobago Revenue Authority (TTRA) and the hated property tax. Now after defending both, he is ready to back away.

And here's the reason.The Public Services Association (PSA) has always been part of the PNM's vote machine. The TTRA had put that at risk and with the association consorting with the opposition, Manning realized that it was time to halt the TTRA bill for now and bring the PSA back home to the PNM.

A photograph in the Trinidad Express showing union boss Michael Annisette hugging PSA President Watson Duke is part of the imagery for the PSA membership to get the message.

With regard to the property tax, Manning was aiming at business people and the middle class, some of whom he met last week at the hastily arranged meeting with members of the Syrian-Lebanese community.

Those insiders who say Manning didn't win many hearts when he met the group should pay attention to the signal he is sending with the rethinking of the same tax that he and his cabinet had staunchly defended while the business and middle class denounced it.

Manning also sent another signal. On the day that the president received the Uff report on the UDeCOTT inquiry, he announced that the health ministry was giving mega contracts to the agency for a major hospital development initiative. No matter who demands it, Manning is not releasing that report.

The PNM leader is gambling on getting his troops back on board and winning again without any of the "dissidents" like Keith Rowley, who has been a thorn on Manning's side for the longest while.

There is no doubt that there is a splendid opportunity for those opposed to the Manning administration to get together now and defeat the PNM.

The revolt within the PNM spilled over Monday night with anti-PNM demonstrations at a PNM rally in Valencia in northeast Trinidad. That and the grumbling from inside the party provide the opportunity that the opposition can exploit.

However, a united opposition is still not in sight and that is why Manning appears willing to take the risk.

But a day is a long time in politics and anything is possible. Manning could be stronger than ever when it is over or he might just have to take up the Bible and move into his other chosen career.

How it ends really depends on how the opposition responds to the best opportunity for victory than it has ever had.

Jai Parasram - Toronto, March 30, 2010

Editorial cartoon: The Sandesh Diaries

General election coming for sure: Manning

Prime Minister Patrick Manning was on full campaign mode on Monday, walking about in Valencia in northeast Trinidad, meeting people and talking about an imminent election.

And at a political meeting in the community, he told supporters of his People's national Movement a general election is coming "as sure as night follows day".

The PNM leader said, "I know some of you don’t believe election coming. Let me repeat here tonight, it is coming...I talking about general elections."

He told the crowd now is not the time for squabbling and urged them to get ready to do the people's business.

Earlier in the day Manning Manning held a special Cabinet meeting. The Trinidad Express cited sources as saying that Manning told cabinet members to prepare for an election and urged them the need to intensify their presence in their constituencies.

Manning also made an unexpected appearance in the Senate to announce several inititaives, including a decision not pursue the Trinidad and Tobago Revenue Authority (TTRA) bill until it completes "full consultations" with the Public Services Association (PSA).

And the Trinidad Express reported Tuesday that Finance Minister Karen Nunez-Tesheira has confirmed that the government is also reviewing the controversial property tax. That's a complete about turn from government policy.

Nunez-Tesheira explained that Government agreed that "it was in everybody’s interest to have an amicable resolution, rather than an adversarial environment."

PSA calls halt on TTRA debate "small victory"

The Public Services Association (PSA) welcomed an announcement by the government Monday that it will halt action on the proposed Trinidad and Tobago Revenue Authority (TTRA) Bill to allow for full consultations with stakeholders.

The about turn was made in the Senate before the PSA presented its case against the controversial legislation.

Following the government announcement, PSA President Watson Duke remarked that it was a victory, noting that the union's plan to sustain a protests against the bill had worked.

The PSA had been holding daily lunchtime demonstrations and had formed an informal coalition with the opposition to try to scuttle the deal in Parliament, with a PSA representative being appointed a temporary opposition Senator for the debate on the bill.

"I must say today our plan has brought forth fruit," Duke told PSA members in Woodford Square after learning of the government's decision. The PSA members and supporters from other unions had marched and round the Red House in anticipation of the debate on the Bill.

But the debate didn't happen.

Duke stressed that the PSA struggle would continue and promised to update union members on when an agreement had been reached.

Jack accuses PM of political discrimination in health care plan

Jack Warner on Tuesday accused Prime Minister Patrick Manning of an "abusive and vicious denial" of the rights of the people to adequate health facilities.

The chairman of the United National Congress (UNC) was responding to Manning's statement in the Senate Monday that his government plans to build and upgrade several hospitals in the country.

The health initiative includes new hospitals in Sangre Grande, Arima, Point Fortin and San Fernando.

In a media release Warner wondered why Couva and Chaguanas were left out. He pointed out that in July 26th 2007, the Minister of Health had said that a hospital would be built between Couva and Chaguanas.

"Less than three years after however, the Prime Minister ignores the advice of his line Minister, virtually assumes his portfolio and presents a new proposal. This is clearly a reflection of the incompetence of both members of the Cabinet," the Chaguanas West MP stated.

"The Prime Minister's announcement of the planned upgrade and new hospitals was extremely one-sided and bore no resemblance to an equitable allocation; geographically or demographically," Warner stated.

He declared that all the the upgrades are intended for PNM stronghold constituencies.

"It is regrettable that the Prime Minister has decided to use the dispensation of health care to muster political strength in his constituencies to boost his dwindling political fortunes."

The UNC chairman noted that the announcement comes mere days after a $300 million pledge for Laventille and 48 hours after the Prime Minister's boast of a snap election.

"The obvious inference is that the Prime Minister is campaigning and is without shame using health care as a political tool," Warner stated.

He pointed to 2007 statistical data showing the population of Chaguanas, Caroni, Couva and environs was in excess of 350,000 persons.

"So Central is home to close to one quarter of the country's population....yet they are once again denied a state of the art health facility. Surely there is an imbalance here that borders on political discrimination," he said.

Warner said the UNC is calling on Manning to disclose the feasibility study prepared by HDR Architects submitted in September of 2008, which according to the Prime Minister was the foundation of this health proposal.

"The nation deserves answers on what precipitated this proposal which is a snub on a major sector of our population. Whether the answers are forthcoming or not, the Prime Minister would ultimately have to face the inquisition of the public at the next electoral poll in 2012 or before," Warner said.

Manning announces major health initiative

Prime Minister Patrick Manning told the Senate Monday his government will build eight new hospitals in Trinidad and Tobago over the next 10 years.

In a rare appearance in the Upper House, Manning said the new hospitals would be part nof a framework for providing comprehensive health care.

And also announced that the Ministry of Health would be handing UDeCOTT contracts to implement the government program. He explained that UDeCOTT would be responsible for:

• design-build-equip contracts with respect to the Port of Spain General Hospital, the new San Fernando General Hospital and the Point Fortin Hospital
• design-build-equip contracts for the modernisation of the Sangre Grande Hospital as a 100-bed hospital with 72 beds in Phase 1 and for the conversion of the Arima Health Facility into a 100-bed hospital with 50 beds in Phase 1
• conversion of the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex into two major institutions: the Eric Williams Medical Centre and the National Hospital for Women

Manning said the plan involves the rebuilding of the Port of Spain General Hospital on its present site with facilities for 658 beds. He explained that the break up of the Mount Hope hospital would create a 509-bed Medical Centre and a women's hospital with 131 beds.

He also announced a new hospital for San Fernando with 704 beds. It would be built on the north-eastern side of San Fernando along the Solomon Hochoy Highway, he said.

The existing San Fernando General Hospital would be converted to a regular hospital with just 100.

Opposition leader Kamla persad-Bissessar immediately slammed the prime minister for showing contempt to citizens by handing the contracts to UDeCOTT on the day that the report on the commission of inquiry was handed over to the president.

In calling for the immediate release of the report, she also noted the plans to keep UDeCOTT in business.

Read the story: Kamla pledges to publish unedited Uff report

Letter: No surrender, no retreat

The TTRA is on hold. Hospitals are re-promised. Lavanty getting fixed up.

Local contractors will be getting projects. Will the balloon of protest lose air and contract? How easily is public anger assuaged?

Will Manning again “promise” to put the rapid rail on hold while he continues to progress the negotiations privately?

What about Air Jamaica takeover stoutly euphemised as exclusively “profitable routes”?

Annual budgets have always repeated deferred promises and the indulgent business community has always been satiated with the anticipated fragrance.

If the PSA is satisfied with current “negotiations” and the heat is lowered, the promise of elections may prove ephemeral. The effectiveness of public protest has been established. The calcified smugness of officialdom has been wrinkled.

Manning’s strategy will change if the protestors are satisfied and withdraw with anticipated gains.

The PSA must demand elections as a preliminary to any accord. The many transgressions against the people must be halted. Not only must be the smelters and complementary port be halted, environment violations must be corrected.

Every profligate project must be halted and foreign labour reduced until non-existent. The well rehearsed litany of excesses of this government must be addressed and treated.

“What is wrong must be put right.” These measures must be taken by the new government after decisive elections. There must be no negotiations on elections. And no “business as usual” before.

No matter of corruption must be swept aside. The CoP and the DPP must do their jobs. These demands must be clear from the throat of every disgusted citizen. The power of justified civil protest must not be dissipated.

Manning must know that only new elections will satisfy the electorate.

And heaven help us if the people return the PNM to power because of a fragmented opposition. M.F. Rahman - via email.

Rampaul quits as UDeCOTT chief operating officer

UDeCOTT’s Chief Operating Officer Neelanda Rampaul resigned from her post Monday, just hours after Prof John Uff handed to President Richards the report of the Commission of Enquiry into the Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (UDeCOTT) and the construction sector.

The Trinidad Express reported Tuesday that Rampaul's resignation was confirmed by UDeCOTT chair, Jearlean John.

The paper said Rampaul handed in her resignation to John and the board of directors.

Rampaul defended UDeCOTT’s operations during the Uff enquiry and made several complaints against members of the commission, suggesting bias against UDeCOTT by commissioners.

She even accused the chairman of lacking credibility and of trying to destroy UDeCOTT.

Police and Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) the are conducting a criminal probe into UDeCOTT and its former executive chairman Calder Hart.

The investigation centres on allegations that Hart awarded $820 million worth in contracts to CH Development Limited in a conflict of interest involving family members who were members of the firm.

Police have been trying to find Hart, who quit his post and left the country on March 6. The Attorney General and Hart's lawyers had said they have his contact information and promised that Hart would cooperate with the investigation.

Uff presents report to T&T president, won't reveal details

British Professor John Uff delivered his much anticipated report Monday to President Max Richards, which outlines details of the Commission of Inquiry into UDeCOTT and the construction sector.

And in a break from tradition, the commission chairman held a media briefing at which he said he would not reveal what's in the report.

Uff thanked his fellow commissioners and also praised the media for their "unflagging interest" in the matter.

In response to questions about whether the findings of the commission could lead to prosecution of any individuals, Uff said he would not comment on that.

"I have broken tradition and held a press conference. But what I would say is the evidence given before this Commission of Inquiry could be taken forward in another place," he told reporters.

He also spoke of distractions and challenges faced during the hearings. "Well we did face some challenges. UDeCOTT wanted to challenge the Commissioners in the Inquiry. It led me into a battle with UDeCOTT and I had to maintain my independence through it all," he said.

Uff said the report contains "a great deal of information concerning UDeCOTT...together with a battery of other state enterprises like the HDC."

He added, "We have investigated all of them but UDeCOTT has more attention in the report."

The commission chairman told reporters he is not aware of any investigation being conducted by the attorney general into UDeCOTT but added that "if there were, we were not compromised by any inside investigations."

He did not make any comment on whether the report should be made public. However, he stated that when a report of a commission of inquiry is completed in the United Kingdom the commission makes the report public. He observed that that is not the case in Trinidad and Tobago.

The convention is for the president to pass the report to the Prime Minister who has discretion in determining if it is to be laid in Parliament.

Opposition leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar has called on the prime minister to make the report public. She said much of the information in it would have already been in the public domain during the hearings.

She also wants speedy action on recommendations that might lead to criminal charges against person or persons who may be involved in wrongdoings.

One of the principal players in the drama - former UDeCOTT executive chairman Calder Hart - has been under investigation since September last year. He quit his post earlier this month and left the country.

Kamla pledges to publish unedited Uff report

The Leader of the Opposition on Monday promised to make public the unedited Uff Report into UDeCOTT and the construction sector when her party gets into office.

kamla Persad-Bissessar made the pledge in a media release. She was responding to the handover of the report to President max Richards Monday morning by commission chair, Prof. John Uff.

"The nation has been waiting for this report since the revelations made during the public hearings, which unearthed evidence of what appears to be corruption in the highest offices of UDeCOTT," the leader of the United National Congress (UNC) stated.

"Recent reports of investigations into the actions of former chairman Calder Hart, and the Prime Minister’s steadfast, open and vocal support of Mr. Hart during the inquiry have made the public sensitive to the possibility of a cover up.

"Today the Prime Minister used the opportunity to address the Senate to recycle old promises of new health facilities but then advised that these will be managed by UDeCOTT, the same company which continues to operate under a haze of uncertainty, the stain of corruption and the failure to establish proper procurement procedures, and which was the subject of the Commission of Inquiry," Persad-Bissessar stated.

"Where is he going to find the funds to finance his promises? Who is he fooling? Once more these actions are illogical, insensitive and inappropriate," she added.

The opposition leader noted that during the Commission of Inquiry Prime Minister Patrick manning openly supported Calder Hart "whose actions whilst in office were being reviewed by the Commission."

She added, "Now in the face of the report the Prime Minister shows open disregard and disdain by awarding hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts to UDeCOTT, without the benefit of the findings of the Commission of Inquiry!

"The PM appears to be using his office to heap contempt upon contempt on the people of Trinidad and Tobago and the legal process. I call on the Prime Minister to back off!" she declared.

"His actions and words do not match. Whilst saying “Let the law takes it course” and “nobody is above the law” the Prime Minister seems inclined to ignore the findings of the Commission of Inquiry even before knowing what they are.

"I challenge the Prime Minister to lay the Uff Commission Report in the Parliament NOW. Stop hiding behind red herrings and mamaguy. Lay the report now, and face the consequences," she said.

COP wants Uff report be made public immediately

The Congress of the People has called on the Prime Minister to immediately make public the findings into the Commission of Enquiry into the Construction Sector which was handed over to the President by Professor John Uff on Monday morning.

COP made the call in a media release shortly after Uff handed the document to the president.

The party noted that the chairman of the inquiry told reporters that in other countries, it is up to a Commission of any Enquiry to make its findings available to the public.

It said, "Unfortunately, in Trinidad and Tobago, it is up to the Prime Minister to make public" the findings of the inquiry.

COP also suggested that evidence given during the Commission of Enquiry could be used by the police and the Director of Public Prosecution to pursue investigations.

"The Commissioner of Police and the Director of Public Prosecution now stand accused by the people of Trinidad & Tobago of dragging their feet with regard to their investigations and possible prosecutions," the party said in a media release.

"The Congress of the People now calls on said authorities to act with an appropriate sense of urgency if they are to recover the trust and confidence of the citizens of this country."

Rowley will seek PNM nomination, says he won't be bullied

Keith Rowley is planning to submit his name for nomination as the People's National Movement's (PNM) candidate for Diego Martin West. He currently represents the constituency in Parliament.

That would signal an intensification of the feud between the outspoken former cabinet minister and his political leader, Patrick Manning.

Rowley was not present at the special PNM on Saturday when Manning instructed the PNM to begin nominations of candidates for the next general election. He didn't set a date for an election but hinted that it could be soon.

Rowley unsuccessfully challenged Manning for the leadership of the party in 1996 and since then relations between the two have been less than cordial. On open fight developed in 2008 when Manning fired Rowley from cabinet.

Manning went to Parliament demanded answers from Rowley about missing millions from a housing project that was under Rowley's jurisdiction. It turned out there was never any missing money.

And in a speech in the House of Representatives, Manning described Rowley as a "raging bull", saying the former minister was extremely difficult to deal with when he doesn't get what he wants.

Read the story: Manning calls Rowley "a raging bull"; defends UDeCOTT

But Rowley is not ready to roll over and die politically. In an interview with the Trinidad Express he said he is prepared to submit his name for the constituency of Diego Martin West.

"And if they say they don’t want me as their MP, I will thank them very sincerely for the period that I served" he said.

"If, on the other hand, they nominate me, we go to Balisier House and the party will make its choice. But I will not be frightened from the screening because some individual feels that that is where he could have his way. The PNM is not an individual plaything," he declared.

He insisted that he will let the party "determine whether I am a fit and proper person to be a PNM candidate. It is very simple. If what I stand for, if what I represent, is not what the PNM represents, then they will part company with me."

Rowley told the paper his membership in the PNM is not open to negotiation "on behalf of individuals who have a problem with what I stand for."

He added, "I have been in the party since 1974 and if at this stage I am suddenly unsuitable for the direction that the party is heading, then let them say so and we will discuss it from there."

He also raised the issue of his dismissal from cabinet. "I was told to surrender my Cabinet position by resignation and to move quietly. And I told the Prime Minister that surrendering my Cabinet position is his call, because he is the only person who can name a Cabinet.

"But as for going quietly, that was not ’on’. And I stand by that position today, and I will stand by that position throughout," he insisted.

"Sometimes it will fall to all of us to defend our party. And for the avoidance of any doubt, the membership I carry is a membership of the People’s National Movement. The P in there means ’people’. My membership is not negotiable", he reiterated.

Rowley told the Express the PNM has surrendered its legacy to one man who is leading the PNM down a road which, "I am certain, will be filled with regret."

He said he is "not uncomfortable with being the only person, if I have to be, objecting to the road on which the party is being taken. I was the only person in the PNM in the Parliament objecting when the Prime Minister and the PNM leader got up in the Parliament to defend Calder Hart and his wife."

He said the party is paying the price for that defending Hart and UDeCOTT. And he spoke about how that might play out in a general election.

"Let no one point a finger at me. This election has nothing to do with me. I am just another party member, but prepared to stand on the principles with which I have been brought up, the same principles I used in my 11 years in the Opposition, and the very principles I employed as a member of the Cabinet.

"And if today, I have to be victimised for that, then so be it. So anyone who feels that they will threaten me with screening, is just wasting their time. I will not be frightened. I will not be bullied. I rather stand alone, than see the party going where it is going," he repeated.

San Fernando East will re-nominate Manning

San Fernando East is happy with the constituency's Parliamentary Representative and plans to re-nominate Patrick Manning to be candidate for the People’s National Movement (PNM) in the next general election.

The PNM leader has represented the constituency since 1971 when he was elected unopposed in the no-vote campaign launched for that election.

Constituency chair Tina Gronlund-Nunez told reporters Sunday the constituency has full confidence in Manning, adding that the process for nominating a candidate will begin Monday morning.

She said the constituency has already moved a motion of full confidence in Manning "so therefore, I do not expect any changes from that feeling. That was just not even two weeks ago.”

Manning instructed the PNM on Saturday to begin the nomination process, starting with his own constituency on April 7.

Manning has not announced an election date, but he told PNM supporters since the opposition has been clamouring for an election he might just give them their wish.

Both the UNC and COP have responded by telling Manning to name the date.

COP tells Manning to set Gen. Election date

The Congress of the People (COP) on Sunday called on Prime Minister patrick manning to immediately set the date for General Election.

COP was responding to Manning's announcement Saturday that he wants his party to begin screening candidates for a general election immediately.

He has set April 7 as the date to begin the process, with the nomination exercise in his own San Fernando East constituency.

That coincides with an opposition motion of no confidence in Manning that will be piloted in the House of Representatives by opposition leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

Manning's announcement at a special convention of the governing People's National Movement (PNM) came just one day after the leaders of COP and the United National Congress (UNC) agreed in principle that there will only be one opposition candidate facing the PNM in the next election.

A split opposition vote in 2007 helped Manning and the PNM get a strong majority although it did not have a majority of votes.

In a media release, COP noted that while Manning put the party on an election footing he failed to announce and date for an election and did not say how soon he would ask the president to dissolve Parliament.

COP said if Manning now fails to set an election date it would be clear that his statement is nothing but "a desperate political ploy designed to ease the current tension within the PNM and to shift the dissatisfaction of the citizenry of T&T on the Government’s squandermania and current allegations of corruption."

The party added, "It is clear that the Prime Minister is now beginning to recognise the storm clouds gathering around him.

"From UDECOTT to the imminent arrival of the IMF, the recent joint statement by the leadership of the UNC and COP on their progress towards sustainable unification, and the gross incompetence in spending our taxpayer dollars and beyond, there can be no escape."

It said Manning must show that he means what he says and set the date for the next General Election now.

The UNC leader has also called on Manning to call the election. Speaking at a rally in Chaguanas Saturday she responded immediately to Manning's election announcement.

"Let me answer you, Mr Manning, don’t back back on that promise, you know, Mr Manning. Don’t back back at all because Mr Manning knows he cannot stop the wave," Persad-Bissessar said.

She called on the thousands gathered for the rally to say whether they had confidence in Manning and got a thunderous, "NO!" in reply.

Guest column: Don't let Manning use religion to divide T&T

On reading the following exerpts in today's Express (BOMBSHELL: Manning sets the election ball rolling), I was stunned at the coded message he was sending to his Baptist minions gathered to hear him speak, those who have him believing he is the divinely ordained and guided instrument of God.

According to the Express Manning said, "the PNM Government provided employment for these women in CEPEP, work which the Opposition has ridiculed as ’painting stones’.

"Manning told his audience (and the 6,000 CEPEP workers) that ’if we put God out of their thoughts and let them occupy the corridors of power, one of the first things they would do, I could bet you, is to close the CEPEP programme’...

"He reminded his audience that the UNC closed the OJT programme in 1996. Today 9,000 were involved in OJT, he noted. ’Those who seek political office, what do you think they are likely to do (to OJT) in the face of what they did in 1996?’ he asked, warning at the same time: ’Don’t put God out of your thoughts’ by putting them back into office."

This is the self-declared Pastor-in-waiting, whose past exploits include the removal in the dead of night of the 'dragon' on the Red House following the defeat of the NAR in 1991, and the razing of the jhandis at the Prime Minister's residence followed by the exorcism of the house, grounds, and even of the PM's official vehicle, when he stole power from the UNC in 2001.

The implication in his carefully chosen - and twice repeated - words is clear: that the Opposition is headed by a non-Christian leader (read Hindu) and supported by same, and that to put them back into power, this (by implication) group of idolators and pagans, is to "put God out of your thoughts".

This is a continuation of the outrageous incitement of religious war that Manning first initiated in his 53-minute tirade in Parliament, in his 'response' to the question of what his involvement - if any - is in the mysterious Guanapo church.

This nonsense must NOT be permitted.

Manning is treading a very dangerous line when he seeks to divide the population, not just on political and ethnic, but now also along religious lines.

To imply that this is no longer a struggle of people's political ideology, but now an all out war between the forces of Good and Evil, is unforgivable, and MUST be resisted at all costs.

RMS

Run on CLICO Barbados, company fighting to keep up

A report in the Barbados NATION newspaper sayd CLICO International Life Insurance Company and its top management are fighting to restore the company after a run on the insurance giant.

It quoted Terrence Thornhill, president of CLICO Holdings Limited, as saying that confidence in the institution had been battered and despite all its efforts, people have been calling on it for their money, making a bad situation worse.

He said CLICO has been forced to pay out more than B$118 million over the past 12 to 14 months. Thornhill said, “The fact that the company has paid out so much cash means its cash position is very weak.”

He said the company "is not in a position to meet the commitment at this time to every single client”.

He added that the CLICO group has been selling some of its vast holdings and “working diligently” to meet the demands of CLICO policyholders.

“There are a number of people who feel a strong loyalty to the company, but their confidence has waned over time because we have not only been battered in the Press, but by friends of policyholders...The constant hammering over time wears people out,” he said.

“It is not everybody who will immediately get their full amount even when we sell down some of our assets,” he added.

Jagdeo warns CARICOM facing bankruptcy

President Bharrat Jagdeo of Guyana has warned that the Caribbean is on the verge of bankruptcy and has reiterated his call for urgent debt relief by the international financial institutions.

Speaking in Georgetown, Jagdeo say the problem is aggravated by the fact that many countries are spending more on servicing external debt.

Jagdeo heads a special Caribbean Community (CARICOM) task force to assess the financial crisis in the region.

He told reporters, “If countries could be declared bankrupt, many of the countries simply cannot pay their way and they can’t meet recurring cost and pay their debts.

He added, "Unless there is radical restructuring or increase sources of revenue, the situation will get worse”.

Jagdeo cited poor productivity and the heavy debt as the main factors contributing to the financial crisis in the region, adding that the situation has been further exacerbated by the global financial crisis, the reduction in exports, remittances and tourist arrivals.

“We hope with the abatement of the crisis, not that we are out of the woods as yet and it is still very tenuous, but this may improve the macro-economic fundamentals of these countries, but they simply can’t sustain their large quantity of debts.”

Jagdeo said during the CARICOM heads meeting with top officials of the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in Dominica earlier this month, the region took the opportunity to highlight its case.

World Bank president Robert Zoellick said his organization is willing to send in experts to the various Caribbean countries to assess their debt management strategies.

But Jagdeo told reporters there is a huge challenge in crafting a regional debt strategy since individual countries have unique debt problems and this must be addressed on a case by case basis.

“Many countries will not have a good future unless their debt problems are tackled,” he said, noting that Guyana had faced similar problems in the past. “We had that when the debt burden use to suck up over 94 per cent of our revenue, it sucked the life out of our economy, and we had tough period of dealing with that.” Jagdeo added.

President gets Uff report Monday

Professor John Uff is expected to hand over his report to president Max Richards on Monday.

Uff chaired the Commission of Enquiry into the construction sector and the Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (UDeCOTT).

The probe also included the government's Cleaver Heights housing project, which was handled by ousted government minister Dr keith Rowley.

Uff had promised to deliver the document before Easter.

Uff plans to hold a news conference after delivering the report but has warned that he would not be disclose the contents of the report.

Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar has called on Prime Minister Manning to make sure that he lays the report in Parliament as soon as President Richards passes the document to him.

The protocol is for the president to pass the report to the prime minister to take whatever action is considered necessary. But there is no obligation to make it public.

Letter to PM Patrick Manning: "Let someone else take the mantle."

Dear Mr. Manning,

A couple of years ago, before the last general election, I wrote a letter in the newspaper explaining the reasons why I could not vote for you and your party. It seems as though I have been spot on as regards to the results of your mis-governance.

I have decided that I will now list some issues of national importance and the reasons why you have lost the moral authority to lead the country and therefore must resign.

Your administration has been in office for almost 10 years and during that time, this country has experienced a windfall of revenue such as we have never seen before. What have we to show for it?

Eight buildings built by UDECOTT? TT$300B have gone through this economy in the last 9 years and can we really say that our quality of life is better? When all and sundry was warning you and your government about the reckless spending as well as the inevitable decline a la 1983, what did you and your government say? "We are insulated."

You were part of the government that squandered our last oil boom in the 70s. This might be forgivable. But to do this again is unforgivable. You were warned about a fool and his money but you were too busy building your ego and your Empire at the expense of the people.

Now that 'de money gone' you want to impose new land and building taxes on a population that is not only overtaxed but under represented and taken for granted by its leaders.

This new tax will not only make the poor poorer, but it will wipe out the middle class who have sacrificed over the years to make a better life for themselves during their sunset years.

Simply put, you and your government have squandered a once in a lifetime opportunity to build up the country's finances and thus make the economy less dependent on oil and gas which is a depleting natural resource.

For this alone, you should resign, more-so since you did not learn from past mistakes. With respect to crime, where do we start?

Basically, we should look at the genesis of crime. Your government has created a gimme gimme dependency syndrome among your PNM supporters that quite simply, it is either you give them a 10 days or they become bandits and murderers.

To make matters worse, the example that your government has shown towards fighting corruption has basically given people a license to be criminals.

You have failed your PNM supporters making them the most vulnerable group in the society, despite their loyalty to you and the PNM. You have also failed to appoint a Police Commissioner, met with so called 'community leaders', called Martin Joseph your best minister, allowed a government minister to get away with taking out her money from a failing financial institution, bought useless blimps that don't work, said that "crime was a temporary problem" and referred to murders as "collateral damage."

Ten years and some 3500 lost lives later, can we say that we are fixing the problem? What about the mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, brothers and sisters who have lost loved ones? Can we bring back their loved ones?

As head of the National Security Council and Prime Minister, you would have been history in another country.

Your consistent defense of Calder Hart is to say the least abominable. It also shows your lack of appreciation and understanding of your role as PM.

What has UDeCOTT done for our development? Built the Hyatt, an Emperor's Mansion, a tall empty building on Wrightson Road which was to be the headquarters of the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) now defunct, an arts centre seating 1200 people at a cost of $500m which works out to a cost of $417,000.00 per seat. The only way this could be viable is if people are prepared to pay $5,000.00 to attend concerts. Who is paying that?

Add to this, UDECOTT is still building a cricket stadium for World Cup 2007 (who knows when this will be finished and what the final price will be?) Have these buildings brought any tangible benefits to the people of T&T?

You treat the country's finances as though they are your own, accountable to no one and for nothing while billions of dollars are misspent, wasted and disappear. How could you not possibly understand that speaking to Calder Hart (after the AG told you that "he has a case to answer") is wrong? More-so, how can that conversation be private?

You continue to try distracting the population by looking for wars from invisible enemies and claiming religious persecution. Your use of religion as a defense mechanism is despicable and if anything your utterances and behavior with respect to this UDeCOTT affair is clearly outrageous.

You should know that God does not sleep. You also keep bringing your religion into politics. This is a supposedly secular state with all different religions and your promotion of your "born again Christian values" is divisive and wrong.

You are the Prime Minister of T&T, not the Bishop, Pundit or Imam.

Church and State must be separate or we could end up in violent situations like those Middle Eastern countries where the religious leaders are the political leaders.

In developed countries as you would like us to be in 2020, you would have been forced out of office. Maybe, if and whenever we get to 2020, you would do the honorable thing?

As regards our present water crisis, who do you think we should blame? When you were Opposition Leader, you said the UNC's decision to build a desalination plant was wrong since any country blessed with 8 months of rainfall should never be short of water.

Presently, your administration wants to build 8 desalination plants. The irony of all of this is that when the rainy season starts, bet the last dollar in the treasury that there will be water everywhere resulting in massive floods.

Why can't we build more reservoirs and catchment areas? How costly can this be? I doubt that it can even cost the price of one desalination plant. This problem has been with us since I remember myself and with your government being in office for 10 years, can we honestly say that your government has made a real attempt to solve our flooding and water problems?

If you answer this honestly, I am sure your conscience will allow you to 'do the honorable thing'.

The issue of traffic is one that affects the entire population and one that has been with us for far too long. Everday, everywhere you go in T&T, there is traffic. Again, your government looks for expensive solutions while ignoring simple cost effective solutions. Why do we need a train?

We cannot even run a bus service, how in heaven's name are we going to run a rapid rail service? Why don't we allow a partial privatization of PTSC making the buses owner-operated like the US? This will bring efficiency. Also, why are we still licensing small vehicles as taxis?

The water taxis have been a failure since they have not solved anything and look at what they cost. Again, big expensive ideas that aren't working.

Our revenue down the drain and nothing to show for it but a few pretty boats that do nothing to solve our problems.

Health and Education are other areas where you and your government have failed miserably. I don't need to go into details but we all know what happens in the hospitals. Even poor people would take their hard earned savings and go abroad or to a local private institution to avoid the local health service.

With respect to education, the government schools are failures. Everyone wants their child to go to a denominational school and yet your government see it fit to undermine these institutions that are our only saving grace.

The PNM has been in power for 43 of the last 54 years and the only reform we have had in education is changing the name of 11+ to Common Entrance to SEA and GCE to CXC.

You have built some shift schools but what quality of education are we getting from them? There are other areas that I can delve into but I really cannot continue forever.

So in conclusion Mr. Manning, when all is analyzed, you have failed our country and as you may well be aware, incumbency is threatened as you have seen with your good friend Mr. Panday.

All I ask is that you save yourself and the nation from further trauma and just let someone else take the mantle. We need a new leader in T&T. The ball is in your court.

Regards,
Linus Brown | Diego Martin, via email

Manning tells PNM to get ready for general election

Patrick Manning told members of the governing People's National Movement (PNM) Saturday to get ready for a general election.

Speaking at a special convention in Chaguaramas, the PNM political leader instructed each of the party's constituencies to immediately commence the screening of its candidate for an election.

Manning told delegates at the convention to start the screening in his own San Fernando East constituency. And he said since the opposition has been calling for an election he might just give them their wish.

"Since they feel that the time has come for a general election, then I will agree with them. As a consequence of which I now direct the party to commence the nomination-of-candidates exercise for the general election immediately. Screening begins on Wednesday, April 7, in the constituency of San Fernando East," Manning declared.

The screening coincides with an opposition no confidence vote in Manning, which opposition leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar will pilot in the House of Representattives.

Manning told the convention the party would apply to the Commissioner of Police for a permit to hold a public gathering on April 9, in Woodford Square, Port of Spain on the the day of the debate.

The parliamentary convention is that if a prime minister loses such a vote the government falls and fresh elections are held. But the president also has the discretion to appoint another member from the House who in his opinion is best able to command the loyalty of the majority of MPs.

The PNM has a strong majority and it is unlikely that the opposition vote will get anywhere close to passing, so Manning's position is not under threat. Last week all 41 constituencies passed a resolution supporting Manning's leadership.

What the opposition hopes to do with the motion is to place on official records what it considers are the misdeeds and shortcomings of Manning. The debate itself could be very embarrassing for Manning.

What will also compound Manning's problems is the negative fallout over the resignation of UDeCOTT boss Calder Hart, who is under criminal investigation. Hart was under scrutiny at the Uff commission of inquiry into UDeCOTT and the construction sector.

Commission chairman Professor John Uff is expected to hand over his final report Monday to President Max Richards. Persad-Bissessar is already demanding that Manning lay the report in Parliament.

In a media release Friday she stated that all the evidence presented during the inquiry is already in the public domain. She said Manning should follow the protocol and make the report public.

Manning told delegates he is fully aware of what is going on in the country and better informed than the media about what people are saying. And he said he is never going to make the mistake of not sufficiently taking into account the views of the people.

He spoke of his administration's successes. And he suggested that by putting the opposition UNC in office the country would be taking God out of government.

When President Robinson appointed Manning as Prime Minister on Dec. 24, 2001 following the 18-18 tie, he justified his action by saying the country needed a government of "spirituality and morality".

Manning said, "Don’t put God out of your thoughts by putting them back into office."

Speaking at a Voice of the People rally as Manning made his election announcement, the leader of the UNC responded to Manning.

"Let me answer you, Mr Manning, don’t back back on that promise, you know, Mr Manning. Don’t back back at all because Mr Manning knows he cannot stop the wave." She called on the thousands gathered for the rally to say whether they had confidence in Manning and got a thunderous, "NO!" in reply

Letter: Manning can't back away from election now

The Elections bell has sounded.

The 10.5 quake that shook the UNC on January 24th has produced a tsunami that threatens Manning’s fortress PNM.

Coupled with the imminent release of the UFF Commission report, rising public discontent, exposed malfeasance in NAPA and several other areas, Manning has decided pre-emptively to go to the polls for another five year mandate before opposition consolidation can take place.

The Voice of the People rally today (Saturday) places Kamla as the undisputed leader of any coalition, removing that stumbling block from opposition accord.

The UNC faction of the coalition would have the first right to its present seats, and the COP to those where it made a good showing against the PNM in the last three-way race.

The rest of the seats should not pose any problems of resolution.

The die has been cast and Manning is now committed to dissolving Parliament. To “back back” now would be to lose face completely and serve no purpose but to prolong the national agony.

With sundry police investigations proceeding apace, the Manning administration is further imperilled.

The rally today was impressive. The crowd was completely attentive to Kamla’s words even when spoken softly.

Manning’s plan to do a public demonstration on April 9th is insidious and one must hope that the Ag. Police Commissioner rejects the application in the national interest.

Indeed, it would be advisable for a formal protest to be lodged with him in advance by concerned citizens against the proposed application.

The nation now has some hope for respite from flagrant corruption. Hopefully the new administration will be committed to corruption eradication.

M.F. Rahman - via email.