TRIBUTE TO FORMER PRIME MINISTER, HONOURABLE PATRICK MANNING
The Emancipation Support Committee of Trinidad & Tobago joins the rest of the nation in expressing condolences to Ms. Hazel Manning, the sons and other family members as well as friends of former Prime Minister, the Honourable Patrick Manning, whose transition came at 8:15am on the morning of July 2, 2016. Comprehensive assessments of an important national figure who has had a very long career in politics and parliament and has served three terms as Prime Minister will have their place. At this time the ESCTT wishes to say thanks for the positive things that he did for the nation and to express its appreciation and gratitude for the support he provided for the transformative work in which our organization is engaged.
As an organization we were always appreciative of the fact that the former Prime Minister was open to dialogue. Meetings between Prime Minister Manning and the Emancipation Support Committee were always respectful and cordial. Differences in perspective and disagreements on issues never changed the tone of communication or the willingness to pursue matters on which there was agreement.
One aspect of Prime Minister Manning’s achievements for which we believe he will long be remembered is his contribution to advancing this country’s relationship with the African continent. Trinidad & Tobago has a long history in the pan-African movement with both political and civil leaders playing their roles. One of the significant advances in recent times is the strengthening of mutually beneficial economic relationships between Trinidad & Tobago and a number of African countries. A marked turning point for this came when Hon. Patrick Manning as Prime Minister made history for the Caribbean as the first political leader in the region to address a Summit of the African Union in January 2007. The groundwork for that honour was laid when he consented to open the first African Union/African Diaspora technical workshop, which was facilitated by the Emancipation Support Committee and held in Trinidad & Tobago in May 2004.
Hon. PM Manning’s address to the African Heads of State in 2007, where he used the opportunity to announce technical support in the hydrocarbon sector for interested African countries, gave an impetus to business and development relationships which the ESCTT had been advocating for years, particularly through its annual Trans-Atlantic Trade & Investment Symposium. There are continuing positive outcomes for both the State and private sector.
Transition is inevitable for individuals. It is the responsibility of those left behind and those yet unborn to build on the positive legacies.
Khafra Kambon
Chairman
Emancipation Support Committee
#5 Bergerac Road, Maraval
Tel 1- 868-628-5008;/ 868-633-9236
Fax 1-868-628-9526:/868-633-9235
E-mail: info.emancipation@esctt.org