By LEISELLE MARAJ Wednesday, August 26 2009

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HAPPY TO SEE YOU: Former Trade Minister Dr Keith Rowley, left, and Fitzgerald Hinds, (second from right) meet with party supporters during Monday nigh...

Two weeks ahead of the resumption of the Uff inquiry into the public construction sector and the Urban Development Company (Udecott), Prime Minister Patrick Manning took the opportunity to praise former Trade Minister and Diego Martin West MP Keith Rowley.

During the seventh educational public meeting of the PNM held on Monday night on the corner of Wendy Fitzwilliam Boulevard and Jasper Avenue, Diego Martin, the party’s political leader named who he considered outstanding politicians from the area.

“Diego Martin has produced many great politicians. Diego Martin has produced Kenneth Valley, Diego Martin has produced Dr Keith Rowley, Diego Martin has produced Mr Colm Imbert and watch out, on the rise, Diego Martin has produced Dr Amery Browne,” he said.

When Rowley’s name was called, the crowd took the opportunity to show their appreciation by cheering loudly and making noise with instruments which they brought to the meeting.

Although he did not take his place on stage, the crowd acknowledged his presence when, during Manning’s address, shouts of “Look Rowley here!” were heard in the crowd.

Newsday spotted the MP at the end of the evening’s proceedings, along with former Laventille East/Morvant MP Fitzgerald Hinds, hugging and greeting supporters who attended the meeting.

In April 2008, Rowley was removed from his position as Trade Minister because of what Manning described as “hooligan behaviour” at a meeting of the Finance and General Purposes Committee of Cabinet at which Udecott chairman Calder Hart proposed the construction of a hotel as part of the Academy for the Performing Arts. Rowley contended that he was fired because he raised concerns over the lack of Cabinet supervision over Udecott’s mega-million dollar projects.

The Uff inquiry, launched last year and chaired by Professor John Uff, will resume in September to continue the probe into projects of the public construction sector and Udecott.