One-hand drummer boy impresses PM Manning

PRIME Minister Patrick Manning was clearly impressed by the dexterity and talent of nine-year-old Oshun Cuthbert, who while only having one hand, beat the drum in welcoming Manning to a PNM community meeting in Siparia over the weekend. Cuthbert later enjoyed a light talk with the Prime Minister.  Cuthbert is a student of the Siparia RC and a drum player of the Frontline School of Drums, Siparia. The boy was born without a right hand. At the meeting, it was announced that three African Heads of State were invited to participate in this year’s annual Emancipa-tion Day celebrations on August 1.

Manning made the disclosure at the launch of the PNM Saturday afternoon forum at Siparia Community Centre. The PNM’s forum will take place at a different constituency every Saturday afternoon and is themed, “PNM — Reporting to the People.” Saturday’s forum assumed the air of an election campaign to fill the vacancy in the Siparia Regional Corporation for which a by-election has been announced. Manning disclosed that an additional five million dollars have been allocated to all local government bodies for “development projects.” The Prime Minister also revealed that Government was considering the possibility of introducing free tertiary education before 2008. This, he added, could soon become possible given the extra income generated by buoyant oil prices.

Flanked by a large contingent of PNM Government Ministers and party officials, Manning said this country was fast becoming an increasingly important player in the World community for both its natural resources and its influence as a member of international organisations. “An invitation has been extended to the president of Nigeria, General (Olusegun) Obasanjo. An invitation has been extended to the president of South Africa, Mr Thabo Mbeki and an invitation has been extended to the president of Uganda, Lt General (Yoweri) Museveni,” Manning declared. “We don’t know whether the invitations will be accepted, but the mere fact that I make the announcement now suggests to you ladies and gentlemen, that we are very optimistic that this year we are going to host three African presidents for Emancipation Day celebrations.”

Manning called on all citizens to be on their best behaviour for the international visit, saying that the nation’s diversity was also being promoted as a reason for the high-level delegations. Manning introduced community worker and activist, Ivan Sinclair, as the ruling party’s candidate for the upcoming July 18 by-election for the vacant San Francique South/Siparia East electoral district. The seat was declared vacant following the death of a local government councillor last December. In a wide-ranging address, Manning also took aim at the detractors concerning a proposed relocation of the nation’s Parliament and the construction of an $850 Million sporting complex at Tarouba. Attending the forum were several Government Ministers including Pennelope Beckles; Jarrette Narine; Christine Sahadeo; Joan Yuille-Williams; Hazel Manning; Martin Joseph; Dr Lenny Saith; and Camille Robinson-Regis.