PM Manning: PNM sets the tone for integrity

PRIME MINISTER Patrick Manning vowed that the entire population will benefit from expected energy revenues into Trinidad and Tobago because the PNM will “set a tone of integrity so that TT is separate and distinct from other countries in the world.” Addressing a post-Cabinet news conference on Friday, Manning said leaders at last month’s Commonwealth Heads of Government summit in Nigeria discussed the developmental process at great length. “One of the things that we note is that there are a lot of countries around the world which are rich in resources but which still have significant sections of their populations living below the poverty line. That for all the wealth that some of these countries have it appears as though their people have not benefitted from it,” he stated. On the homefront, the Prime Minister said: “There is a concern that as our levels of gas production expand, our levels of revenues will increase and therefore we will be in a slightly better position than we have been in the past.

That one of the questions will now arise is the proper and efficient expenditure of these resources.We are as concerned about that as anybody else since it has fallen on our shoulders for the time being to ensure that that is so. We are determined especially having regard to experiences of the last few years, are determined to set a tone of integrity so that TT is separate and distinct from other countries in the world who have national resources but whose populations are unable to benefit from it. That we are determined will not happen here.” Manning explained this was why TT is seeking the help of the US Government to make it “a bastion of integrity in the region, Western Hemisphere and in the world.” “We reaffirmed our determination to ensure that in the conduct of the public affairs of this country, we adhere to the highest standards of integrity and we wanted to make it pellucidly clear to all concerned, those in public life and to the national community, that we will take every step to ensure that we adhere to that particular dictum,” he declared.

The Prime Minister disclosed that as far as investigations into alleged corruption under the former UNC regime are concrened, Government is seeking from the US “a special arrangement to ensure that whatever information is required is made available to us so that the legitimate authorities in TT can now pursue the question of prosecution.” Attorney-General John Jeremie said Government’s corruption investigations into affairs which transpired under the UNC, have now led it to foreign jursidictions and he is satisfied with the cooperation received with from these territories. “I like to see justice done as quickly as possible and I am convinced that the wheels of justice, while they might seem to be turning slowly, are turning efficiently,” the AG stated.