By Sue-Ann Wayow
PRIME Minister Dr Keith Rowley is telling the population to not be troubled by “the resurrection” of former government minister Jack Warner.
He was answering a question from Aisha Ali, an audience member during a Conversation with the Prime Minister segment in Sangre Grande on Tuesday. She wanted to know if a man on extradition charges was allowed to be in politics.
Laughing Dr Rowley replied, “Ladies and gentlemen, let us not be troubled by the resurrection of Jack Warner.”
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He said, “All that you are seeing there, in the shocking reversals of positions between Mr Warner, the UNC, the leader of the UNC and so on, that boils down to one simple thing, Jack Warner has some serious extradition difficulties. He wants to be with people to make a deal that he will not be extradited.”
From the time that happens, it will be dubbed “Section 35”, Dr Rowley said reminding supporters of the Section 34 controversial issue which would have given the right of individuals whose matters have remained without trial for ten years and more to have them dismissed by a judge back in 2012/2013 “so that people who had extradition problems could escape the court in America.”
He asked, “Jack Warner has the same problem. So do you expect him to run to?”
The people he was running to, according to Dr Rowley, have already demonstrated that it was not beyond them to prevent people from going to court by offering them sanction from extradition.
“They’ve done it before and what you are seeing there is them attempting to do it again,” he said.
The prime minister further said, “My advice to you is to ignore Jack Warner but keep your eyes on the UNC that is prepared to make that kind of deal.”
Dr Rowley in a two-and-a-half-hour segment heard from attendees their concerns, questions and suggestions.
Concerns included flooding, no access to agriculture, broken roadways, problems for water and irregular garbage collection.
Those who spoke thanked Dr Rowley for hearing their concerns, also saying they hope that improvements will be made.
To councillors: Don’t feel you are the boss
PNM stalwart, Terry Rondon also had some advice for the PNM local government candidates.
Getting emotional with his comments, he said, “I am begging you all… you got to go inside there and work. Remember, you are working for the people.”
Rondon said as a former councillor and chairman of the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation, it was rewarding to be a first responder to situations in his district to assist.
He also said, “Many a time, I have seen with councillors especially if their party is in power, they feel they is the boss. Your accounting officer is the CEO and you work with the CEO. In so doing, a CEO could make you or a CEO could break you.”
Speaking positively, Rondon urged that on August 15 when PNM councillors win that their main underlining policy should be what was good for one, be good for all.
He also asked that all he wanted for his 28 years of service to the PNM was for the party to get back control of the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation.
Rondon thanked everyone who supported him over the years, Dr Rowley and the party saying he remains with great love for the people of Toco/Sangre Grande.
