Rowley warns: UNC taking us to Lebanon

Housing Minister, Dr Keith Rowley, yesterday warned that the nation was in danger of being transformed into the violence-plagued capital of Lebanon, saying members of the Opposition party were “poisioning” the minds of the East Indian community against the ruling party. And he noted that while the National Housing Authority (NHA) was “springing up houses out of bull-grass” for the entire populace, the UNC was intent on dividing the population along racial lines. He was delivering the feature address at the sod-turning ceremony at Mora Heights, Sydney Street, Rio Claro.

The NHA has earmarked two sites at Rio Claro and one site at Kernahan Village for construction of a number of single-family units and housing complexes. Some 145 units are to be constructed on 33 acres of land at Mora Heights, with construction expected to be completed in 14 months. The project will be undertaken by four contractors. In a fiery speech, Rowley said Opposition parliamentarians were reportedly advising their supporters not to apply for NHA houses because of percieved racial discrimination and bias by the authority. “Today I call on you the people of Trinidad and Tobago, those of you gathered here and those of you on the outside of here, to begin to object to that kind of approach in our local politics,” he said.

Rowley added, “It is a dangerous road. It does nobody any good. It breeds hate in our children. It breeds spite and vindictiveness in our managers. It destroys our potential to be a paradise. “This country is a small two-island state, 1.3 million people, with more resources than we can use and all that is held out to us as a promise is the promise of a good life if we can only behave ourselves. If they are allowed to sow those seeds in this country, and those seeds take root we could end up like Beriut.” Meanwhile, the electoral district’s embattled Member of Parliament, Franklin Khan, was noticeably absent from both the sod-turning ceremony and the official programme.

Khan, who was recently accused of corrupt activities by Ecclesville Local Government councillor, Dansam Dhansook, resigned as Works and Transport Minister from the Manning-led Cabinet last Sunday. He has retained his position as chairman of the ruling party and MP for the marginal constituency. Ortoire/Mayaro region constituency chairman, Clifford Campbell, confirmed a mass rally in solidarity with Khan would be held at the Mayaro recreation grounds on Saturday. He said some front-line PNM officials were expected to take the stage in support of Khan.