Port-of-Spain mayor Louis Lee Sing yesterday questioned the People’s National Movement’s (PNM) silence on statements made by Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU) leader Ancel Roget that there were traitors to the PNM at the city corporation. On Friday, following a joint trade union march through the city, Roget told the crowd that a member of the PNM at the Port-of-Spain mayor’s office, tried to sabotage the march.
At a news conference at City Hall yesterday Lee Sing attempted to set the record straight. Deputy mayor Kerron Valentine was noticeably absent from yesterday’s media conference. Lee Sing told reporters PNM chairman Franklin Khan had instructed Valentine not to attend. Lee Sing said with the absence of a statement from Balisier House, the public had been left to believe that Roget was correct. “The party’s silence on this matter is both inappropriate and deafening and its silence has left the public to question the integrity of both the deputy mayor and the council of the city corporation.” “It is unacceptable.”
Lee Sing said Roget missed an opportunity to speak to the public on issues and instead used the platform to cement his relationship with Rowley. He said he believed Roget, as the feature speaker, had nothing of importance to speak of. “He missed an opportunity to add nails to the coffin of the People’s Partnership Government.” Lee Sing said Roget attacked the individual who did more than any PNM member to ensure the success of the march. He read from a report written by Valentine, which stated Valentine’s involvement in securing approvals and obtaining a stage and other equipment for the occasion.
When contacted yesterday Roget said he would issue a statement soon. When contacted, Rowley said he was at a meeting and not available at the time.