By PETER GREEN
Trouble is brewing within the San Fernando East Constituency of the People’s National Movement (PNM).
Brian Manning, the PNM Member of Parliament, is raising concerns about the running of the constituency.
In a statement on Wednesday morning, Manning said party members had raised a series of concerns with him over recent months, including the governance of the San Fernando East constituency, the conduct of a recent constituency executive elections and what he described as an apparent conflict of interest involving constituency chairman Patricia Alexis.
Manning said Alexis holds several senior positions within the PNM, including Assistant General Secretary, San Fernando East representative on the General Council and membership of the Central Executive.
According to Manning, some constituency members believe the combination of roles could compromise impartiality when San Fernando East matters reach the party’s national structures.
He also raised questions about a recent constituency executive elections, alleging that an unannounced vacancy was filled by a person unfamiliar to many longstanding members and who was allegedly connected to the constituency chairman.
Manning stressed that he was not accusing anyone of wrongdoing, but said the concerns warranted an independent examination.
Manning, whose father Patrick Manning, held that seat for 34 years, also pointed to media reports concerning millions of dollars in CEPEP contracts from the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government.
Manning said constituents want to know the PNM leadership’s position on the matter.
He said he subsequently requested that a committee appointed to verify party groups in San Fernando East include an independent member from outside the Central Executive.
Manning said that proposal was rejected.
According to the Manning, the General Council instead insisted that his nominee be selected from within the Central Executive.
Manning said he could not accept that arrangement as sufficiently impartial.
He argued that party members should not be asked to place their confidence in a process where people closely connected to the concerns could be involved in determining their outcome.
The San Fernando East MP said his concerns were being raised in the interest of protecting the integrity of the PNM rather than targeting any individual.
He called on the party leadership to provide answers and reassurance to San Fernando East members.
Manning said he remains committed to the PNM but warned that he would not remain silent while what he described as declining confidence among constituency members goes unaddressed.
There have been rumours in recent times that Brian Manning could be forced out of the constituency “when the time is right”.
