Valley denies Jones comment led to portfolio change

TRADE MINISTER Ken Valley does not believe his comments on Malcolm Jones’ salary contributed in any way to the decision of Prime Minister Patrick Manning to shift his responsibilities within the Finance portfolio.

“Ent is stupidness. I certainly don’t believe that,” Valley said, dismissing the idea yesterday. He said he was happy where he was and was looking forward to the challenge of this new job. “I have met with my PS already and we have started working,” he said. He added: “I am not in politics for power. I want to build a particular kind of Trinidad and Tobago.” Valley said the Prime Minister has told him that he would continue to handle BWIA and Caroni, the two hot potatoes, in the Investments Sector. Valley said two months before  realignment of the Finance portfolio, he was informed that there would be a new person joining himself and Enill in Finance. However the Prime Minister did not say at that time that Valley would be losing the Investments and the Divestment Secretariat to that new Minister, Christine Sahadeo and would assume responsibility for Strategic Plan Coordination, the Vision 2020 timetable and Pension Reform.

Valley said he was told about the new arrangements on Wednesday just before leaving the country on government business. Reminded how passionate he seemed to be about the Investments and Divestment Secretariat, Valley, who has worked in this area for five years (1991-95 and 2002-2003) said he becomes passionate about any job he takes on. “I was passionate about Investments; I am passionate about Trade and Industry. Any portfolio I take on I am passionate about. But I cannot own a portfolio,” he stressed. “It is only the chronic grumbler grumbles about the noise when opportunity comes knocking on his door.” He said he looked forward to working with Sahadeo, who is now in charge of Investments and who is expected to be part of meetings involving BWIA and Caroni. “I am an old man, you know. I am 17 years in this thing. My job is to train the young people,” Valley said. He noted that there was not similar interest in the Euro-money Caribbean conference which he attended in the Dominican Republic last week. He said at that conference, Trinidad and Tobago’s profile was very high. “This is what is important because it helps to market the country to potential investors,” Valley said.