Manning challenges UNC: Bring on Caroni... PNM is ready

PRIME MINISTER Patrick Manning challenged the United National Congress (UNC) to bring a motion to Parliament on Friday to debate the restructuring of Caroni (1975) Limited but predicted the Opposition would not do so because it would expose their own failure to save the ailing sugar industry.

Addressing a People’s National Movement (PNM) public meeting in Couva on Saturday night, the Prime Minister described UNC threats against the safety of Government Ministers in Central Trinidad as nothing but an Opposition bluff. Under the watchful eyes of the police and the army, 16 Cabinet Ministers attended the large meeting, including Agriculture Minister John Rahael who only recently had to abort a meeting at the Rudranath Capildeo Learning Resource Centre which was disrupted by the All Trinidad Sugar and General Workers Trade Union (ATSGWTU). “The UNC is talking nonsense about debating Caroni in Parliament. Friday coming is Private Members Day which means we give priority to motions that are moved by members of the Opposition. For that to happen you must give five days notice. They could file the motion on Monday. They could file it if they want. I give them the assurance tonight that if they do that, we will give it priority in the Parliament on Friday so we could discuss Caroni if they wish. Remember they are trying to raise this as a definite matter of urgent public importance.

The Speaker said it did not qualify under that but if they wished, they could raise it as a motion in the adjournment for which they require three days notice or better still they can file a motion with the Clerk, and we can debate as a motion when Private Members Day comes up on Friday. “I am inviting them to file the motion. The PNM looks forward to that debate in Parliament. File it, we will debate it on Friday coming and if they wish, we will carry on the Parliament and the debate until the debate comes to an end on Friday night or Saturday morning or Saturday evening or Sunday night whenever it is,” Manning declared as he threw down the gauntlet to the Opposition. However, the Prime Minister added: “ I make you a bet. They file no motion on Caroni Limited because they are saying one thing and really, they are meaning the next. They wish no debate on Caroni because they know that their position cannot stand scrutiny like ours can and that if that debate takes place, it is an opportunity to enlighten the people of Trinidad and Tobago and they can no longer go about the place being the purveyors of misniformation that has led to a lot of tension in Central Trinidad and elsewhere in the country.”

Manning dismissed continued attempts by the Opposition to compare Caroni to the Community Environmental Protection and Enhancement Programme (CEPEP). “ Caroni is not in the same boat. Caroni Limited has been losing year on year and the Government is now seeking to bring about a restructuring of the sugar industry so we can have more stable arrangements and that those that continue to work in the industry, will be able to plan for himself and his family because he knows he now works in stable and viable arrangements,” he said. Training his guns on Couva South MP Kelvin Ramnath, Manning declared: “ We were threatened not to come to Central Trinidad. Tonight we are here in Couva South. What they don’t know is that the Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear. Fear no one.” Other Government Ministers present included Attorney-General Glenda Morean, Hazel Manning, Jarrette Narine, Danny Montano, Penelope Beckles, Larry Achong, Dr Lenny Saith, Christine Kangaloo, Eulalie James, Franklin Khan, Martin Joseph, Knowlson Gift, Diane Seukeran and Mustapha Abdul-Hamid.