Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar is not impressed with Prime Minister Patrick Manning's statements with regard with UDeCOTT and its former chairman, Calder Hart."He was bluntly evasive, refused to deal with the issues at hand, flatly rejected to answer probing questions, even going as far as to condemn the media for taking bribes," she stated.
She added that Manning disappointed the nation with his "usual dismissive and arrogant manner" noting that he offered "no explanation for why Calder Hart was not the subject of an earlier investigation given the fact that former Minister of Housing, Keith Rowley, as the Minister responsible for UDeCOTT, had raised grave concerns for which he was dismissed from the Cabinet."
The UNC leader said Manning sidestepped the issue of his responsibility as Prime Minister to investigate Hart and UDeCOTT "in the same manner in which he was so public and vociferous in calling for Cleaver Heights and the Piarco Airport to be aggressively pursued."
She added, "It seems the Prime Minister only believes it is his duty if the matter involves those whom he deems to be his political foes. His bosom buddies, however, seem to more enjoy his protection."
Persad-Bissessar described as "startling" Manning's refusal to divulge any details of his conversation with Hart just prior to ex-UDeCOTT chairman's resignation and sudden departure from Trinidad.
Manning stated that such details are not relevant .
But Persad-Bissessar disagrees. "Given the fact that our Prime Minister knew that Mr. Hart was the subject of a criminal investigation and in light of the evidence which recently became public that seemed to incriminate the former UDeCOTT Chairman, he could not expect to have a private conversation with Mr. Hart and withhold the details of that dialogue."
She wondered if Hart chose "to quickly depart these shores" after hearing what Manning had to say. She found it "interesting" that Manning, and not the UDeCOTT line Minister, who spoke to Hart.
"The public demands to know what did Manning discuss with Calder Hart? Then, apparently oblivious to the debacle which the whole UDeCOTT matter has descended into the Prime Minister says that it is a demonstration of what he calls a “new construction order”.
"Well if UDeCOTT and all its goings on is testimony to the Prime Minister’s proud boast of this new construction order, God help us all.
"Rather than seek to establish his own integrity and that of his government, Prime Minister Manning launches a scathing attack on the media accusing journalists of taking bribes," the Siparia MP said.
She said the public "learnt nothing new from Mr Manning’s news conference on UDeCOTT we simply got a reminder of the manner of man who unfortunately is at the helm of our troubled nation."
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