Former PNM senator Penelope Beckles-Robinson and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and permanent representative to the United Nations will postpone taking up her appointment in New York this week to attend the funeral of former prime minister Patrick Manning on July 9.
When contacted by the Sunday Guardian yesterday, Beckles-Robinson said “I have not had any information regarding the details of his funeral, but I personally would like to attend.”
Manning's funeral service would be at the Trinity Cathedral, Port-of Spain, on Saturday.
Asked what were some of her most memorable moments interacting with Manning, Beckles-Robinson said, “One of the most important things to me about him was his accessibility as a prime minister.
“He was very busy, but he could be approached, whatever ministry I went to, whether it be the Ministry of Social Development, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and Ministry of Public Utilities and Environment, any concerns I had I could talk to him about. He was a pretty sound statesman. “Another important thing to me was he was always giving me guidance as a politician during my entire life.”
She said there was also Manning's humility and the fact that he was always fair in dealing with politicians and joe public alike.
Beckles-Robinson said he had a vision for the country. When someone went to discuss a project or subject with him, Manning was very clear in his purpose. He didn’t do things in an ad hoc manner.
She said Manning planned and structured what he was working on, so he could spend hours just guiding someone, talk about planning elections or what benefits can be implemented for the country.
Beckles-Robinson said her most memorable experience she had of Manning was when she was working in the social welfare ministry.
She said this was one area in which he demonstrated his passion and love for the country and served the people.
Beckles-Robinson said a lot of the policies now available at the social development ministry were developed during her tenure when Manning chaired certain committees that dealt with implementing plans to help the people with social issues such as poverty eradication, assisting people who had challenges in terms of housing and improving people’s standard of living.
She said Manning's lasting legacy will be in the field of education for the nation’s children and development of the country.