He was difficult for the other Heads of State to comprehend. The day before signing his own Declaration committing to 'environmental sustainability, energy security and human prosperity', he announced to them that construction of this country's largest power station "was about to be begin".
He continued "this year construction is about to begin on our first aluminium smelter and the introduction of a new industry and all that goes with the possibilities associated with downstream out of the availability domestically of the primary product, aluminium and because it is energy intensive we are about to begin production on the largest power station ever to be constructed in this country of about 720 megawatts". Manning beamed proudly at the other Heads of State "it is a large power station".
Prime Minister Manning went on " Trinidad and Tobago has "done a lot with a little" in terms of its energy resources, adding "there are many other plants on the drawing board"..."one of the reasons why we have raised a partial scope agreement with the USA is because there are a number of investors who are anxious to invest in downstream industries based on the availability of primary products but who are not prepared to take the step unless they are guaranteed a certain access to the US market and under acceptable terms and conditions. That my dear friends, is on the table". (quotes taken from The Daily Express, Tuesday 21st April 2009).
Manning's idea of 'environmental sustainability' and 'energy security' is to introduce the largest power plant ever and to build an aluminium smelter. How Obama must have cringed thinking back on his own energy policy which seeks to "reduce green house gas emissions 80% by 2050".
On reflection however, Obama may well sign the 'partial scope agreement' mentioned by Manning as it will concentrate all the pollution and global warming in Trinidad and Tobago. Not USA, and at the same time, the USA can have all the consumption benefits.
In the Granma (21st April) Fidel Castro described the OAS 5th Summit of the Americas in POS Trinidad as "seeming to be in the realm of delirious dreams". Fidel Castro had listened to press conference led by Manning, Stephen Harper (Canada), Felipe Calderon (Mexico) and Martin Torrijos (Panama), he said "according to them it has been the most extraordinary summit that ever took place. Some kind of miracle must have occurred, I thought. The philosopher's stone must have been discovered".
Thinking Trinbagonians know the stone of which he speaks. The Summit binge is over and the gas rush continues. Read more below...
