Letter: Deafening Silence from Dr. Rowley

I admire the Honourable Leader of the Opposition’s fierce protection against bias and partiality for those who seek and those who are in public office. 

The Honourable Leader of the Opposition, Dr. Keith Rowley has been a member of parliament since 1991—20 years. 

In essence, he has been with Mr. Manning through election victories (1991-1995; 2002-2007; 2007-May 24th, 2010) and defeats (1995-2000 and 2010-Present). While the PNM was in governance, under the Manning administration, Dr. Rowley held senior Cabinet positions until he was terminated by Mr.Manning in 2009.

Dr. Rowley, I had always thought was a fair person but his conduct with regards to certain public matters since assuming the mantle of Opposition Leader leaves one in doubt about his defending the principle and practice of equality for all in Trinidad and Tobago.

• Dr. Rowley has chastised Prime Minister Bissessar for vetoing the appointment of Michelle Austin claiming that Susan Francois scored only 487 points on the interview while Michelle Austin scored 636 points. The PSC recommended Ms. Austin for the position as Director of FIU. It must be noted that the Prime Minister has the power vested in her to accept of reject the candidate the PSC recommends. This power emanates from the Constitution. The PM also does not have to give an explanation but PM Bissessar did give one unlike Mr. Manning who just did it.
• What is beyond me is why didn’t Mr. Rowley make strong public pronouncements objecting to when Mr. Patrick Manning exercised his veto power with key positions like when Ganga Persad Kissoon scored much higher than Stephanie Elder Alexander in the interviewing process and the PSC recommended him but his appointment was vetoed by Mr. Manning?
• Where was Dr. Rowley’s potency when Devant Maharaj’s turned out as the victorious candidate for the CEO of the NLCB and Mr. Manning vetoed his appointment?
• Where was Dr. Rowley when Feroza Ramjohn was appointed to a Foreign Services Officer II abroad and she made preparations to leave (sold car, house) and then Mr. Manning rescinds her appointment?
• Where was Dr. Rowley when CEO Marlene Coudray was being victimized by the Statutory Authority Service Commission and Mr. Manning for not carrying out his directives to help party supporters? One would recall how we all watched and listened on our radios to see what would happen.
• Your silence Dr. Rowley was extremely defeaning until October 2009 when you did your contribution in the Lower House that slammed your Former Prime Minister concerning the UDecott fiasco.

What is good for the goose should be good for the gander!

Octavia Honore | Petit Valley, Diego Martin.

Editor's note: Mr Manning also used his veto to block the appointment of Stephen Williams as Commissioner of Police although he was the number one candidate selected and recommended by the Police Service Commission.