Callaloo for Manning

Prime Minister Patrick Manning ate callaloo and drank seamoss at the Breakfast Shed yesterday. Manning walked from the Financial Complex, stopping traffic as he crossed Wrightston Road. He was accompanied by Camille Robinson-Regis, Herbert Atwell, Franklin Khan, Ken Valley, Calder Hart, Hazel Manning, Christine Sahadeo, Jerry Hospedales, Jerry Narace, Governor Ewart Williams, Conrad Enil, and his security personnel.

The Prime Minister said a prayer before sitting down and then blessed the meal.  His full order was stewed fish, provisions, callaloo, salad and seamoss drink without sugar. He finished his meal in less than half an hour. On Tuesday, he met with three cooks in his Whitehall office to discuss the pending removal of the Breakfast Shed, but yesterday he said he did not want to make the discussions public. However, he described the meal as excellent, and told reporters that he had eaten at the Breakfast Shed before, but neither he nor anyone else would confirm if he paid the bill. 

The closing down of the Breakfast Shed to make way for port expansion has stirred controversy. “Udecott has its mandate, and we will negotiate,” Manning told Newsday. Christine Sahadeo, Junior Minister in the Ministry of  Finance, said the Breakfast Shed workers would remain at the present site until further arrangements have been made. The stall owners of the Breakfast Shed said they will not make any decision to accept the $93,000 a stall package, or relocate to the Brian Lara Promenade on the eastern side of the project site, until the Prime Minister informs them of his decision.

The cooks are still paying a daily rent of $45 per stall. Chairman of Udecott, Calder Hart, said he had to meet with the cooks again. “I think we can reach an amicable agreement, he said.” He denied that yesterday’s visit by the Prime Minister was a public relations ploy. “It was the Prime Minister’s decision that we came here and have lunch.” While Calder Hart was speaking he was being heckled by activist Chestwayo Murai,   who claimed it was unfair to give the cooks $93,000 per stall whereas retrenched Caroni workers recieved much more. He said that the Breakfast Shed was part of the culture, and Udecott should respect the heritage of our ancestors. “Six thousand slaves died here with the Dutch to make here on Wrightson Road land. Nobody don’t remember that!” said Murai.