By Vishani Ragobeer

THE former Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Patrick Manning, who recently passed away, was on Monday hailed as a visionary, patriot and Caribbean man.He was celebrated by all the Caribbean leaders who addressed the opening ceremony of the 37th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) at the National Cultural Centre.

Caricom Secretary General Irwin LaRocque began his presentation by having everyone in the audience observe a minute’s silence for the Community’s longstanding member.
LaRocque, and the other leaders who spoke, noted Manning’s achievements and contributions to the integration movement.
In an earlier statement, he hailed Manning as a “champion” of CARICOM with the following words: “His contribution to our Community stemmed from his conviction that integration was the best response to the challenges faced by our region of small states.”

The Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr Keith Rowley, said Manning would be remembered as a visionary, patriot, and Caribbean man who had been committed to excellence. Dr Rowley noted that Manning, like himself, had understood the pivotal role integration plays in the development of a country, and CARICOM as a whole; and had been the driving force behind highlighting and addressing the problems the region faces from chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This had led to CARICOM initiating a United Nations high-level meeting on combating NCDs.

Manning, Dr Rowley said, had also initiated the CARICOM Task Force on Crime and Security.

According to St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, “One of the titans of integration (has) left us”.

For Suriname’s President, Desiré Delano Bouterse, Manning was undoubtedly a great man. “His commitment to regional integration and development will not be forgotten,” the Suriname President said.

And Prime Minister of Dominica and Chairman of this Conference, Roosevelt Skerrit, said his country has slated July 5 and 6 as national days of mourning for the former Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister.

Manning will be remembered as “a stalwart in seeking the achievement of the CARICOM ideal,” said Jamaica Prime Minister Andrew Holness.