Absurd idea to merge UTC and FCB

THE EDITOR: The Prime Minister should fire his public relations people and communication advisers immediately. This advice is given after the latest faux pas which involves the suggestion made at a press conference that the Unit Trust Corporation and First Citizens Bank should be merged. Firstly, the idea is absurd. Secondly, to attribute the idea to an unidentified citizen was pathetic  and childish. Then, to compound the foolishness at another press conference by saying that the idea was “put out there” to test public response was ridiculous and a clear signal that Mr Manning is unaware of the growing cynicism which even the most ardent party supporters have for him and his Cabinet.

Let us recall a similar situation which occurred during the NAR administration. The late Selwyn Richardson, as Minister of National Security, made a public statement regarding his feeling that older citizens should not be allowed to drive. During the inevitable calumny, he then sheepishly announced that he was “only flying a kite” to test public response! The NAR was seriously embarrassed by the initial idea, and the subsequent attempt to trivialise it as sort of joke. Mr Manning should dismiss his nitwit PR team immediately, and replace it with people with intelligence. Then, he should take the advice of this new team and put an end to his smug demeanor and juvenile responses to the media and the public.

CURTIS BENJAMIN
Port-of-Spain