‘TT has given enough’

Trinidad and Tobago has given tremendously to the Caribbean over the years, Prime Minister Patrick Manning said yesterday. He was responding to criticisms made by St Lucia’s Prime Minister Dr Kenny Anthony. Anthony had challenged Trinidad and Tobago to help its Caribbean neighbours deal with skyrocketing fuel prices rather than dissuade them from taking up Venezuela’s Petrocaribe offer of cheaper oil. Anthony said Manning should “summon the will” to offer better fuel alternatives to members of Caricom.

However, Manning indicated to Newsday yesterday that within the limitations of its capacity, Trinidad and Tobago had been extremely generous. Manning said Trinidad and Tobago’s oil production was 150,000 barrels per day while Venezuela’s oil production was three million barrels per day. He said Trinidad and Tobago had already made it clear that the Caribbean’s requirements in terms of assistance of any kind was beyond Trinidad and Tobago’s capacity to supply. Manning said there was already the Petroleum Fund, grant funding to the tune of $300 million annually, which Trinidad and Tobago voluntarily put in place. He said Trinidad and Tobago also gave TT$1 million to assist businesses in the Caribbean. Additionally, Trinidad and Tobago committed US$10 million to operationalise the Caribbean Development Fund.

“My comment on Petrocaribe was not so much in our own defence, but to alert Caribbean territories to the fact that, notwithstanding its attractiveness — and Petrocaribe is attractive — it contains pitfalls which they would do well to avoid. A word to the wise is sufficient,” he said, opting not to elaborate on what the dangers were. Manning had stated last week that if the deal between those  Caribbean countries signing the Petrocaribe agreement and Venezuela government fell through, Trinidad and Tobago may not be there to assist these countries or resume previous oil and gas arrangements.