PM unplugged: Manning gets all media air time for interview

Prime Minister Patrick Manning commandeered all broadcast media in Trinidad and Tobago Sunday evening in the first of three interview programs title "Prime Minister Unplugged" hosted by respected broadcast journalist Hans Hanoomansingh.

Journalists Juhel Browne and Anthony Wilson questioned Manning for an hour but the number one issue of crime was only raised near the end of the program by Hanoomansingh who asked Manning about his government's special crime plan that focused on several communities and asked why all the programs were centred in PNM areas.

Manning did not answer the question but instead dismissed a suggestion by Hanoomansingh that the PNM model is not relevant. Manning said contrary to what some people believe, the PNM is now attracting support from a wide cross section of the country.

Commenting on overall progress on crime, he stated that there is going to be a state of the nation address Monday night at which he will address that. But he said the real problem in fighting crime is the location of Trinidad and Tobago as an ideal transhipment point for drugs and ammunition.

"If it were easy to solve the problem it would have been solved a long time ago," he said. He said there have been some successes and insisted that those who commit crimes would pay the price.

The interview began with questions about Manning's alleged involvement of a church under construction at Arima. On Saturday the opposition made a direct connection between Manning and the church.

But the prime minister insisted that he is not and has never been connected to the church and deflected the question to point out that the government assists all religious groups.

Asked about the direct link to Calder Hart, he said that may have been in Hart's private capacity, not as executive chairman of UDeCOTT. And he suggested that the reference to "PM" in correspondence to Hart did not mean "Prime Minister" as stated by the oppostion but Project Manager.

He also dismissed the allegation that the design that has been used for the church was originally produced as an outdoor facility at the Prime Minister's residence.

Manning also spoke about a highways development project announced during the campaign to construct a highways network for $20 billion. He announced for the first time that the private sector would design, finance and build the toll roadways and eventually hand them over to the state.