Political Godfather

The bombshell from UNC Chief Whip Jack Warner that there is a church being built in the Heights of Guanapo, in Arima, with the active support and involvement of PM Manning, ought not to have exploded, but it has. Manning’s inept handling of the issue has opened up a can of worms that has served to expose the sycophantic relationship that exists in Cabinet.Our calypsonians must be gleefully working on next year’s compositions already. PNM party chairman Conrad Enill said there was nothing wrong in some obscure—and as yet unknown entity—hiring Shanghai Construction Co, brought here by the state, as part of a government-to-government arrangement, on a private project. Who applied for the extension of these workers’ work permits? What was the reason given?

Who approved it? Has OSHA been informed, so that the workers are not exploited? Mr Enill cited no examples to support his idle boast that it was not uncommon for Asian companies to stay on in Trinidad and use it as its headquarters for Latin America, but there are dozens of Chinese restaurants that have sprung up in every nook and cranny of T&T with “construction workers” whose work permits authorise them to remain and work here on specific government projects.

Skyscrapers remain empty
I don’t see any new corporate headquarters for these companies, and the waterfront skyscrapers remain empty. The dusty road leading to the construction site has suddenly been paved at a cost of over $3 million. Construction continues apace, despite the lack of approvals. The church was conceptualised in 2005, and orders were allegedly given to Calder Hart’s Udecott to “execute design and engineering” by the Prime Minister himself. Udecott has denied this. It seems as if Manning is the political godfather of this new church, and who vex, vex! Manning’s personal visits were, no doubt, meant to create a powerful shield over this project by personal association. Eyebrows rose when Manning established the short-lived Ministry of Ecclesiastical Affairs.

The PM’s band, Divine Echoes, receives some millions in grants annually, currently exceeding a total of $10m. This band is, in substance and effect, an Afro-Christian band. What if other PMs follow suit? Manning’s mishandling of this issue has the potential to upset the delicate balance that has been struck between the State and the Church since independence. The discrimination suffered by the Maha Sabha in the radio licence case is not something that should be forgotten, as the Privy Council criticised the Government for twice misleading the courts, in an attempt to conceal the discrimination. There is a rumour that the government is indirectly supporting construction of this church, via donations from state enterprises.

I would have dismissed this, but only last week Senator Wade Mark criticised state-owned Petrotrin for its religious donations. He cited Petrotrin’s generous donations of $1.3 million to St Peter’s RC and Anglican Churches and annual donations of up to $500,000 to the Small Enterprise and Business Association (SEBA). Has Petrotrin ever made such a substantial donation to any other religious group?

While Mr Manning’s office has released a statement denying that he owns the church, no information has been given about his involvement. Ownership of the church was not even questioned. This is worrying. The Rev Juliana Pena has been exposed as the PM’s “see-er-woman,”

Diplomatic courtesies?
She is accorded diplomatic courtesies and travels at taxpayers’ expense with the Prime Minister. The Zimbabwe Herald, dated July 22, 2005, stated: “President Mugabe yesterday met a special envoy of the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, PM Patrick Manning, at State House. “Speaking after the meeting, Rev Juliana Pena, of the Lighthouse of the Lord Jesus Church, said she had come to Zimbabwe to share with the President a vision that she had received from God, in which he revealed his desire to see change in Africa.” Does the good Reverend advise the PM on matters of State? What matters of decision-making are delegated to her? What are her qualifications to do this? What is the extent of her advice?

How much influence has she on the Prime Minister? It really makes no sense to ask these legitimate questions, though. Housing Minister Dr Emily Gaynor Dick-Forde personified and embodied the attitude of the Government when she said: “No. Well, I do not even know what the controversy is. I do not know what the controversy is. Ent the Prime Minister has said that he is a Christian? What is the problem?”

Nuff said; just shut up and let the man build his church with our money.

By Anand Ramlogan