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Corruption Blurring the Lines Between Church and State Media Release Author: People's Partnership Date: 2010-05-18 20:05:25 Every day the public outcry for a probe to be launched into Patrick Manning's alleged involvement in the construction of the church at Guanapo grows louder. While the Prime Minister and Minister of Ecclesiastical Affairs has denied that State funding is involved in the construction of the Heights of Guanapo Church, he has also responded to documents released by Political Leader of the People's Partnership, Kamla Persad Bissesar. Presenting correspondence between architect Stephen Mendes, writing to then UDECOTT Executive Chairman Calder Hart in May, 2006 that drawings developed of the church, "...are not in accordance with recent changes made to architectural drawings as a result of recent PM's requests", Patrick Manning challenges the nation's tolerance for conjecture by stating that PM could mean "project manager". Stating that the notion that State funding is involved in the construction of that church is "...just wild and baseless", Manning also stated that "...it is nothing unusual for the State to assist religious organizations." For Patrick Manning to ask whether Calder Hart was involved in the church as Executive Chairman of UDECOTT or in a private capacity, when Chinese labour is being exploited for its construction, is to obscure, if not to hide the truth of this issue from the nation. The church was originally intended, designed and funded for the people of Guanapo. It now seems to be the property of the spiritual advisor of Mr. Manning and the beneficiary of largesse of the State, via special purpose UDECOTT. The Congress of the People and the People's Partnership calls on Prime Minister Patrick Manning to either deny or affirm the link between UDECOTT, Shanghai Construction and the Lighthouse of the Lord Jesus Christ Church. The documents proffered by Ms. Persad Bissesar clearly indicate that they refer to Calder Hart as Chairman of UDECOTT, as the client for which the drawings were done and the contractor was Shanghai Construction. Perhaps PM - Prime Minister, Patrick Manning, is also Project Manager since these initials all seem to apply to him. User Comments

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