Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley says he has “many, many positive memories” in his life with Patrick Manning. He said their bust-up which eventually led to his dismissal from Manning’s Cabinet was “small” but “maybe an integral part.”
Rowley made the statement during a telephone interview on TV6 yesterday.
Rowley was the first person to alert the national community to Manning being warded at the San Fernando General Hospital earlier this week.
He, however, said Manning’s death came as a shock.
“When I spoke a couple of days ago, I spoke in the context of him being hospitalised with what I would not want to say routine, but you know challenges that he was dealing with for a while. You know the last thing on my mind was his departing. It was with a deep sense of shock that we received that news this morning, and my colleagues and I are still in shock that this has happened so suddenly,” Rowley said.
Rowley was asked about the infamous bust-up with Manning which led to Rowley’s dismissal from the Cabinet.
“I have many, many positive memories of my life with Patrick Manning over and above what you might have mentioned a moment ago. That was but a small part, maybe an integral part, but even that was a part of our development and I have very, very long memories and experiences with Mr Manning going back,” he said.
Rowley said Manning always had a “positive outlook” on life.
“The bottom line is he did what he had to do very positively and he did it for the country, and he made public service worthy of his life. Public service is not easy and he spent his life in public service, and that made it stand out as a given,” Rowley said.
Rowley said “history will absolve” Manning.
“I want to say to the young people of this country look at UTT (the University of Trinidad and Tobago), look at Gate (Government Assistance for Tuition Expenses Programme) and you see Patrick Manning, his vision...and to the country, look at LNG (Liquefied natural gas) and how we pay our bills today and you see Patrick Manning and his effect on Trinidad and Tobago,” he said.