UNC probes Manning’s ‘mystery’ trips

THE United National Congress (UNC) yesterday said Prime Minister Patrick Manning must account to Parliament for “mystery detours” to England and Spain during his recent trip overseas. After attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government summit in Abuja, Nigeria, from December 9 to 11, Manning held discussions with Repsol YTF chairman Alfonso Cortina in Spain and then with BP chairman Lord Brown in England. UNC chairman Wade Mark said Manning should give full details to Parliament about his recent trip and “not just the things we want to hear.” “We want details. We want the truth,” Mark declared.

He questioned why Manning did not insist upon Energy Minister Eric Williams accompanying him to Spain and England and claimed that certain other unauthorised individuals sat in on those talks with Manning.” Speaking with reporters at Piarco International Airport last Saturday, Manning said an agreement was signed with Repsol, part of which involves the Spanish energy company assisting with some aspects of the University of Trinidad and Tobago. The Prime Minister described his talks with Brown and other top BP officials as positive and said BP was considering expanding its operations in TT. “We are attempting to streamline what takes place in the petroleum sector and ensure that the Government and people of TT get a greater take from the development of our natural resources. That’s what the energy meetings are all about,” he explained.