Manning scoffs at threat of sugar belt shut down

PRIME MINISTER Patrick Manning scoffed at threats from Opposition MP Kelvin Ramnath about a shut-down in the sugar belt and dismissed Ramnath’s allegations that Government was planning to build a shelter for PNM supporters in Caroni.

Speaking at a post-Cabinet news briefing at Whitehall yesterday, Trade Minister Ken Valley said to date some 1,400 Caroni workers have accepted the VSEP plan. “My people (at Finance) are saying that the vast majority would come,” Valley added. The Prime Minister said the VSEP had been “immensely popular” with the workers. More people had not taken it because of the activities of the Opposition, he said, adding: “But over time, I am sure that we will see a significantly higher number of persons availing themselves of the arrangements (for VSEP) which have been put in.” “I have been listening to politicians and especially Opposition politicians to know when to take seriously what they say and when to ignore what they say,” he said, adding that Ramnath’s statements were frivolous and designed to create sensation. The Prime Minister said however he would meet with NATUC “within days” on the VSEP issue.

Government also announced expansion of some of its social programme. Manning said the CEPEP programme would cost $400 million a year when it is expanded and National Security Minister Howard Chin Lee announced that Cabinet had approved $25 million for expansion of the Civilian Conservation Corps. The programme would therefore train 2,500 youths this year. Last year it trained 300. The Prime Minister assured that Government, which was planning on the basis of an expectated  increased  revenues, was not over-extending itself financially. He said war in the Middle East would result in enhanced revenues and increase the capacity of the State to embark on ambitious development programmes. Chin Lee said government was confident the Kidnapping Bill, which is to be tabled tomorrow, would  get the support of the Opposition.

 The bill requires a special majority. The Bill seeks to make penalties for kidnapping stricter and to make kidnapping a non-bailable offence. Valley announced that Cabinet agreed to set up a $100 million support programme for Caricom members. He stressed that the fund was an interest-free loan for technical assistance, strategic planning, training, negotiation and design of financing and refinancing packages. On Government’s decision to assist Caricom, Manning said it was partly motivated by self-interest because Caricom was the largest market for Trinidad and Tobago’s domestic industries. “If the purchasing power of the islands down for whatever reason, it would manifest itself in unemployment in Trinidad and Tobago, “ Manning said. Valley also announced that Government had formed a special unit under Jerry Narace for expediting the goal to make Trinidad and Tobago CSME (Caricom Single market and Economy) ready within one year.