Light blows over PMBy Clint Chan Tack Saturday, November 8 2008
THE HOUSE of Representatives was thrown into chaos at about 4.15 pm yesterday when a lamp exploded high above Prime Minister Patrick Manning’s head, sending sparks flying towards him and other Government MPs.
The loud pop equally startled persons sitting in the public gallery of the chamber, evoking memories of the Friday July 27, 1990 attempted coup in Parliament when gunshots were heard minutes before armed members of the Jamaat al Muslimeen stormed the Red House where debate was taking place about the Tesoro affair.
Moments before the light literally went out over Manning, Princes Town North MP Subhas Panday constantly harassed the Prime Minister about what he claimed was “the sting in the tail” of the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Order 2008 which was piloted earlier in the pre-tea session by Finance Minister Karen Nunez-Tesheira. After extending congratulations to US president-elect Barack Obama, Panday declared the order would not benefit the population because very few cars used CNG and people are already suffering from the hike in premium gasoline prices in the 2009 Budget.
“This is an afterthought with the aim of putting a dagger in the back of the population!” Panday declared.
“You have gone a little too far. I will answer you,” Manning told Panday and raised his right hand to caution the Opposition MP. However, Panday forged ahead with a slew of verbal attacks against Manning, determined to prove his point. When Manning asked him if he ever converted his car from gasoline to CNG, Panday replied he never made the switch “when I saw you pelt away yours, PAK 1056.”
In a subtle reference about Manning’s visit to Radio 94.1 FM on October 25, Panday informed the Prime Minister he would have no choice but to endure long lines at gas stations if he was an ordinary citizen who owned a car which was fuelled by CNG.
“I changed the car. I sold it at an all inclusive price,” Manning replied. Panday claimed the reason why no new CNG stations were built in the country was due to a lack of trained technicians. “Not correct,” Manning countered. Panday switched gears and asked Manning why no scholarships were being offered at the University of Trinidad and Tobago to train persons in CNG technologies. “Not correct again. That is coming. Where is the knife?” Manning asked Panday. As Manning and Panday traded political punches, a low humming noise was heard in the chamber at about 4.10 pm. This noise was followed one minute later by a brilliant glare and then at exactly 4.15 pm, a lamp on the wall high above the Government’s back bench blew with a loud pop startling Manning, as well as Government and Opposition MPs. “Oye!” cried Panday in surprise.
Manning and Leader of Government Business Colm Imbert turned around in their seats to see sparks of electricity hurtle from the blown lamp toward the Government benches. Culture Minister Marlene Mc Donald and Sports Minister Gary Hunt jumped to their feet to avoid the falling sparks. Manning took off his jacket as he stood up and examined the area right around his seat. No Government MPs were injured.
Siparia MP Kamla Persad-Bissessar suggested to Deputy Speaker Pennelope Beckles that the sitting should be suspended so the lamp could be fixed. Observing the lamp’s explosion had rattled all parliamentarians, Beckles stood up at 4.20 pm and ruled: “Honourable Members, I think we should take the tea break at this time.”
As Beckles left the chamber, Government and Opposition MPs pondered what could have caused the lamp to explode.
“You so bright that you cause the light to blow,” Panday quipped to Manning.
As other UNC Alliance MPs joined Panday in singing this chorus, Manning shrugged his shoulders at them. He put on his jacket, smiled at the Opposition MPs and took a sip of water from the a water bottle on his desk. As the other parliamentarians left the chamber for the lounge of the Red House or decided to use the unexpected break time to do some paperwork, Manning spent two minutes chatting with Education Minister Esther Le Gendre and Imbert before calmly strolling out of the chamber. As Manning left, a parliament staffer entered the chamber and was directed by police officers to the blown lamp. Parliament officials were surprised by the incident, saying nothing like it had ever happened before.
Longstanding UNC supporter Dorothy, one of the regulars in the public gallery, remarked: “They can’t have no Parliament this afternoon.”
Another woman claimed some of the electrical sparks landed on Manning’s pants. However the House did resume nearly 40 minutes after the blown lamp fiasco and Manning returned, refreshed and reinvigorated to participate in the debate. Panday concluded his contribution by suggesting that Parliament should have security drills so MPs could know how to react when such events occur.
“In all my contortions, I could not get under my desk,” he quipped.
