The Works and Infrastructure Minister said it is disappointing and shameful that Rowley would do this on the day the nation is celebrating Republic Day, a time when a renewal of patriotism should be the focus.
Warner was responding to a media report in which Rowley claimed that the government is discriminating against the three Diego martin constituencies by withholding development projects.
Saturday's Trinidad Guardian quoted Rowley as saying, " Today we accuse the Government and we accuse the Prime Minister and her Cabinet of actively discriminating against the people of the north western peninsula, who happen to be represented in Parliament by the People’s National Movement.”
Rowley made the comments Friday at a news conference in Port of spain attended by the two other MPs for the Diego martin area, Colm Imbert and Amery Browne.
The Opposition Leader added, “We refuse to accept that a Government that had a development programme budget of $3,000 million this year and another $3,000 million next year cannot find a few million dollars" to various projects in the western region."
Rowley called it "naked discrimination" by people who swore on the Bible, Gita and other holy books to conduct public business without malice or ill-will.
Warner assured citizens in his dual capacity as the Minister of Works and Infrastructure as well as the Chairman of the UNC that the People’s Partnership "is not engaged in any form of discrimination against the beloved citizens of our land."
He added, "The people of Diego Martin and environs have not been singled out to be deprived of anything. In fact, it is the resolution of this government to serve all the people better than anyone else has in the past and we will apply an even hand.
"The needs, demands and challenges of the people of Diego Martin are engaging the attention of the government in the same measure as that of the persons in all communities across the country, and we will treat with all equitably and fairly."
The minister said Rowley and the PNM have no moral authority to accuse anyone of practicing discrimination in the application of state resources.
"It is the PNM of the last decade that plunged 10,000 Caroni workers and tens of thousands of dependents of the sugar industry into destitution in an act of political spite," Warner said.
He added, "It is the PNM that gave its constituencies five and ten CEPEP contracts but zero to Siparia. The extent of the neglect and spite of the PNM towards the citizens in rural communities that have traditionally not supported the PNM is there for all to see.
"All one has to do is take a drive and see the dilapidated roads and stagnant drains left in the wake of the PNM."
Warner also attacked Rowley on what he said is the Opposition Leader’s "sneaky attempt to insert the race card".
He said, "By speaking of discrimination and not saying what kind of discrimination he is talking about Dr Rowley has thrown responsibility out the door and left it up to his target audience to draw their own inferences."
The Chaguanas West MP asked: "Is he talking about geographical, racial, political or class motivated discrimination? He should say and remove the ambiguity he has deliberately and maliciously created."
Warner said while he respects the right and role of the Opposition to comment on the performance of the government, even if they choose to make frivolous statements, "the PNM cannot and will not be allowed to dictate the way this government goes about serving the people of this nation."
He said, "We have had eight years of the current PNM crop and approximately 40 years of PNM style rule, and we see the decrepit state they have left this country.
"They have left crumbling infrastructure everywhere, rampant crime, a crashed economy, high debt and an empty treasury. The people have ruled on their incompetence – twice, and loudly, in 2010."
Warner said It is for the People’s Partnership to find a way to bring the nation back on stable ground, "to manage what little is left after the PNM plundered our resources, and to cut and fit, to plug leaking holes and try to steady the vessel as we attempt to upright this country. And this government strives to do good by all in spite of the little money that is left after the PNM’s rampage."
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