Cabinet meets today on BWIA

PRIME MINISTER Patrick Manning disclosed that Cabinet will meet in special session today to determine the fate of national airline BWIA and new proposals for regional political integration will be laid at the next Caricom Heads of Government summit which takes place in Jamaica. Questioned at yesterday’s post  PNM General Council news conference about conflicting statements from Trade Minister Ken Valley and BWIA CEO Conrad Aleong about the true state of affairs at BWIA, Manning said: “We will call a special Cabinet meeting tomorrow (Monday) after which I will tell you what the latest is. This matter involving BWIA is a serious matter. It has a lot of implications for the way we conduct our business in the future.” Recalling that Government had decided “to make money available to BWIA under certain circumstances,” the Prime Minister said the Cabinet sub-committee on BWIA met last Friday and recommended there be no change in Government’s policy towards the beleaguered airline. 

Manning also revealed that arising out of recent discussions between himself and St Vincent and the Grenadines PM Dr Ralph Gonsalves, new proposals on regional political unity will be presented at the next Caricom leaders summit which takes place in Montego Bay, Jamaica in either June or July. Manning said progress has also been made regarding the LNG shipments from Trinidad and Tobago to Jamaica but said his Jamaican counterpart PJ Patterson indicated that the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) and its sustainability would impact on such an arrangement. He added that this will be discussed further at the upcoming summit.  The Prime Minister also revealed that the PNM expects to complete the screening of Local Government Elections candidates this week.

Asked if this meant the election date was July 7, Manning replied: “ The one thing a Prime Minister does not do and no Prime Minister should do is just be part of the speculation of an election date. When an announcement is made it will be clear and decisive.” Manning said he would not be intervening in the Caroni land dispute involving Pastor Vishnu Lutchmansingh and expressed interest at former PNM MP Dr Joe Laquis’ suggestion to be made a temporary senator so he could respond to allegations levelled against him by Opposition Chief Whip Ganga Singh. The Prime Minister said the General Council strongly condemned attempts last week by UNC Senator Wade Mark and Couva South MP Kelvin Ramnath to use Parliament “as the springboard for political activity of a destructive nature.