Latest update December 12th, 2024 1:00 AM
CARICOM’s Heads of Gov’t honour the late Patrick Manning
The late former Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Patrick Manning.
Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) last evening paid tribute to a fallen comrade and visionary, the former Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Patrick Manning.
This was done as the 15 Heads of Government and representatives of five Associate Members, congregated at the National Cultural Centre, Homestretch and Mandela Avenues, Georgetown, for the opening of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)’s 37th Regular Heads of Government meeting.
The three-day event is scheduled to conclude on Wednesday. With Security and Economics high on the Agenda, the Heads will discuss, over this period, possible solutions to some of the challenges; threats being faced by member-states and the Community in General.
Last evening’s proceedings saw attendance from several local Government Ministers and Ministerial Operatives from the visiting states; members of the Diplomatic Corps; Members of the Private Sector and other Special Invitees.
The occasion which was scheduled to be held in Dominica this year was cancelled due to that country’s inability to host it. The island had been struck by a national disaster. It is still in recovery-mode after tropical storm Erika struck late last year.
The event was then moved to the Cooperative Republic of Guyana which at this time is celebrating 50 years of becoming an independent nation.
The evening’s proceedings kicked off with the rendition of the National Anthems of Guyana and Dominica respectively by the Members of the Guyana Police Force Band.
A moment of silence was observed in honour of the former Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Patrick Manning, who passed away on Saturday last.
He passed away in his hometown of San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago just one day after being diagnosed with cancer.
Secretary-General of CARICOM, Irwin LaRocque just as the ceremony was about to get underway, stated that a moment of silence should be observed to show respect to a man that has contributed much to his country and to the Community.
He continued that Manning, a true visionary, had worked tirelessly for his country and for the Caribbean Community. He was a member of the Conference of Heads of Government for almost a decade and a half before retiring from active politics last year.
According to the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves during his statement, the late Patrick Manning was one of the true champions of CARICOM.
He continued that the former Prime Minister believed in integration and was genuinely committed to it.
His contribution to our Community stemmed from his conviction that integration was the best response to the challenges faced by our Region of small states. His initiatives included the establishment of the Petroleum Fund which allowed Member States to benefit from Trinidad and Tobago’s oil revenue, Gonsalves added.
Patrick Manning, according to CARICOM, led the way in addressing the dangers highlighted by the Region’s experts that Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) posed to the Community and was host to the groundbreaking Special Summit of CARICOM Heads of Government on NCDs.
As Lead Prime Minister for Security in the CARICOM quasi-cabinet, Manning engineered the formation of the CARICOM Task Force on Crime and Security. Its recommendations broadened the scope of co-operation within the Community in that area resulting in Security Co-operation being adopted as the fourth pillar of the community’s integration movement.
In myriad other ways, his calm and deliberate interventions enhanced the tone of discussions at the level of the Conference of Heads of Government.
The Prime Minister of Dominica and the Chairman of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM, Roosevelt Skerrit, told the gathering yesterday that Dominica will be observing two days of national mourning.
“The Caribbean Community extends its deepest sympathies to his wife Hazel, their children and other members of the Manning family as well as to the Government and people of Trinidad and Tobago. Their loss is our loss. May his soul rest in peace.” CARICOM stated.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
Raises and Recognition
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News- In the movie, Saturday Night Fever, Tony Manero‘s boss offers him a raise after he... more
High-Stakes Bid for OAS Secretary General post
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News- The election of a new Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS),... more
Weekend Cartoon
