Manning unveils $20B Highways project; Hazel "weeps" for Pandays

Patrick Manning told a PNM meeting in Princes Town Monday night that a PNM government will build six new highways at a cost of $20 billion. He said the new transportation network would link every part of Trinidad and Tobago.

The leader of the People's National Movement (PNM) said the projects the extension of the Solomon Hochoy Highway to Point Fortin and the extension from Wallerfield to Manzanilla by 2015 and a highway from Curepe to Princes Town by 2017. He noted that people who want to use the highways would have to pay tolls.

Manning said the highway construction project will create more than 140,000 jobs, calling it the largest development program in the history of the country. He said the highways project will begin as early as October

"When that happens, the face of Trinidad and Tobago is changed for all times", he said.

Manning also promised four large desalination plants, each with its own distribution system to move water over long distances.

Manning warned if the opposition wins the May 24 general election the new government would kill several assistance projects that have a significant effect on the quality of life on the people.

The opposition has denied that and in meetings across the country it has assured citizens that all these programs would be retained and improved.

At the same meeting Colm Imbert challenged UNC leader Kamla Persad Bissesssar to declare her position on abortion.

"Does Kamla stand for abortion? Will she legalize abortion? I want to know! The PNM is pro-life. We promote life. Not death," he said.

Manning's wife, Hazel, told supporters she could "smell a PNM victory at the polls."

She warned that the electing the opposition as an alternative to the PNM would be a formula for chaos and accused the People's Partnership of sending "a subtle message to supporters with talk of blood on the streets."

She also showed sympathy for the Pandays - Basdeo, Subhas and Mickela.

"Mr Basdeo Panday who was founding father of the UNC and who served as leader of the Opposition, and the Prime Minister, has been booted out. I don’t care what Mr Panday did, we do not treat our leaders so.

"So too Mickela Panday. And what about Subhas Panday. Have you seen him? He has been totally left out. Where is he? We would never do that in the PNM," she declared.