"I have no problems with Mr Warner": PM Kamla

File: Jack Warner and Kamla Persad-Bissessar in 2010

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar on Sunday dismissed media speculation about a rift with the chairman of the United national Congress (UNC), Works and Infrastructure Minister Jack Warner. 

Local media have been speculating that there is a problem between the two citing the audit of the Programme for Upgrading Roads Efficiency (PURE) program from Warner's ministry and the lack of support for Warner's personal campaign in support of hanging killers.

Persad-Bissessar's administration plans to bring back the death penalty bill to Parliament and she is on record as saying that she wants to pass legislation to hang convicted killers. However she did not endorse Warner's petition to lobby support for hanging, saying it would be "foolhardy" for any cabinet minister to sign the petition.

With respect to PURE, she has said she is just ensuring transparency in government activities.

The Guardian newspaper said Persad-Bissessar stated in an interview Sunday there is no problem with Warner.

It quoted her as saying, “I have no problems with Mr Warner...Mr Warner is a very hard-working minister and remains a very important part of the Cabinet, like all the other ministers."

The paper said she also dismissed claims by some citizens that she did not acknowledge Warner at her second anniversary celebrations as political leader of the United National Congress (UNC) at Rienzi Complex on January 24. 

JYOTI can verify that Persad-Bissessar mentioned Warner by name in thanking members of her administration for delivering services to the country. She credited Warner with building roads fixing the country's infrastructure.