PM BLANKS MEDIA

He was again absent yesterday, and his last recorded appearance was on January 20. A rough tally by Newsday suggested that since January, Manning has missed some 20 post-Cabinet media conferences.

When Manning returned to Government, he introduced formal media conferences, mocking the former UNC government for their impromptu media huddles on the grounds of Whitehall.

The briefings are now held on Thursdays inside Whitehall, and are broadcast on TV6 and have also recently begun to be broadcast live on Channel Four.

But up to yesterday, Manning had not attended a post-cabinet media briefing in a long time, possibly six months.

A quick search of the records of Newsday and another daily newspaper suggested that Manning has not attended a post-Cabinet briefing since January 20, when he spoke of flooding in Guyana. His penultimate attendance at a briefing was January 7 when he said he was "not his sister’s keeper," in reference to obstetrician Dr Petronella Manning-Alleyne.

A Whitehall source confirmed that Manning has not attended any media conferences in April, May, or June, but said he needed more time to check the records of the preceding months.

Meanwhile, the media have endured a host of junior ministers promising better roads and water supply, which never seem to be fulfilled, plus promises from Minister of National Security Martin Joseph, and clarification of sorts from Minister of Public Administration Dr Lenny Saith whose office sometimes issues inaccurate press releases.

Manning, as the Head of Government who presides over Cabinet meetings, in the past, was always present at the briefings to face reporters and give definitive answers to the many problems facing the country.

But reporters are now faced merely with ministers, many junior, whose responses are said to be less than satisfactory. So far no one has given any explanation as to why Prime Minister Manning is avoiding facing the media at these briefings which are supposed to give reporters a face-to-face opportunity to question him about matters that are of current public interest, such as crime, and such as what really is going on about the investigations into allegations against members of his Cabinet.

Elsewhere, Manning only speaks very infrequently in Parliament where no questions can be put to him by reporters. When approached as he is entering or leaving Parliament, his usual practice is to brush off the media and to sidestep serious questions that are put to him.

Manning appears at various functions where he makes general statements, such as the recent PNM Family Day where he dismissed crime as being only temporary.

There has been no formal explanation from the Office of the Prime Minister as to why Manning is not attending these briefings.

Yesterday’s event was chaired by Junior Minister of Finance, Conrad Enill, and also attended by Minister of Public Utilities and Environment, Pennelope Beckles, and Minister of Science, Technology and Tertiary Education, Mustapha Abdul-Hamid.

A source said Manning appears to be throwing his junior ministers to the media "wolves." "What’s the point of the press conferences with Manning absent?" said one reporter. These conferences had been seen as the golden opportunity for the Prime Minister to be asked questions and to account to the public for matters of serious public interest. "His absence reduces the accountability and transparency of the Cabinet," said one observer. Sources said the Prime Minister is displaying disregard for the people of the country as the media are unable to put questions to him.

In Manning’s absence, many of the post-Cabinet meetings have been chaired by Minister of Public Administration, Dr Lenny Saith, including a meeting recently held one Saturday lunchtime to reply to the concerns of the business sector about the proposed $850 million sports complex at Tarouba.

As prime Minister and Leader of the Government, Manning should face the press every week, one source said.