Manning defends appointment on former UNC minister as HDC boss

The recent appointment of former UNC cabinet minister Jearlean John to head the Trinidad and Tobago Housing Development Corporation (HDC) raised some eyebrows and objection from some PNM faithful.

But that's not bothering Prime Minister Patrick Manning. As far as he is concerned John is a performer and a lot of PNM people are not delivering.

That's what Manning told people in Laventille earlier this week. He said people from Laventille went to his San Fernando office to warn him not to appoint the former UNC Minister.

He said past political affiliation is unimportant so long as the person holding the job delivers. "We made no mistake," he assured his audience, “They fraid that lady like ten years in jail,” Manning said.

Manning also condemned the quality of work on some of the homes being built by the government, noting that in San Fernando east the construction has been so shoddy that sewage is seeping through the floors in some of the homes.

Manning made it clear that it is important for politicians to walk among the people to hear their concerns, noting that they are the servants of the people, not masters.

“Politicians cannot live in a cloistered tower or an ivory tower because you don’t serve yourself, you serve the people of the country,” he said.

Manning observed that people have said his walkabouts are only for political gain, while others have complained that he doesn't visit the area.

He suggested that it is a double-edged sword. "It’s damned if you do and damned if you don’t,” he said.

Manning said he has ignored warning not to visit Laventille because of security concerns. But he insisted that he not afraid to walk in the area.

"Nobody will run me," he said.