Bereaux, Khan: PNM stronger than ever

THE OPPOSITION UNC will have to wait until 2007 to have a shot at replacing the PNM as the Government of Trinidad and Tobago because there is no chance of general elections being held in the country before then and the ruling party remains stronger than ever. This was the collective view expressed yesterday by La Brea MP Hedwidge Bereaux and PNM chairman Franklyn Khan in the wake of Point Fortin MP Larry Achong’s resignation as Labour Minister on Friday.

Bereaux, who sits to Achong’s immediate left in the Lower House and is his immediate neighbour constituency-wise, told Newsday that he could understand the reasons for resignation because of the similarities between La Brea and Point Fortin are far as community relations with Atlantic LNG (ALNG) are concerned. Bereaux said since ALNG Train One was constructed, ALNG does not “seem to be as friendly” to the La Brea and Point Fortin communities compared to other companies in the area and both communities have had their concerns about the sharing up of the national pie.

However, despite these concerns, Bereaux was optimistic that any concerns Achong had will be addressed by the Cabinet. Bereaux dismissed rumours that Achong and fellow PNM back-benchers Fitzgerald Hinds and Eudine Job-Davis were very disenchanted with Prime Minister Patrick Manning’s style of leadership or the Government’s policies. He said the PNM will not implode in office like its UNC predecessor because “we (PNM) are smarter than that. We are not throwing away office. The PNM is a properly organised party,” he declared. He explained: “In politics, you have allies and you have friends. You may not be a person’s friend but you are their ally.” He added that unlike the UNC, PNM members have the maturity to resolve problems whenever they arise.
 
Khan said while he was surprised to learn of Achong’s resignation, he was confident that all related issues would be resolved. The PNM chairman said he was not privy to discussions about who would replace Achong as Labour Minister, adding that this was the Prime Minister’s prerogative and that matter has not been discussed by the Cabinet. PNM sources have hinted that Hinds and Public Administration Minister Dr Lenny Saith are two persons being considered for that post. In a statement on Saturday, the PNM said Achong remains  “a most valuable member” of the party and his resignation “demonstrated the highest traditions of ministerial behaviour in keeping with the Westminster system of government. “The philosophical underpinnings and the democratic process entrenched in the PNM permit divergent views which have strengthened and will continue to strengthen our 48-year-old institution,” the party declared.