Manning fires contractor for water breach

Prime Minister Patrick Manning has confirmed the dismissal of the contractor who maintains the grounds of his official residence, after a newspaper published a photograph showing water sprinklers in use on the lawns, despite a ban on such activities by the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA).



Mr. Manning told Parliament that the photograph had come as a great surprise and that a decision had been made to terminate the services of the contractor with immediate effect.



He says the functions will now be undertaken by a state agency.



Yesterday, The Trinidad Express newspaper published the photo of the sprinklers in use at the Prime Minister’s Residence and Diplomatic Centre under the caption “PM Caught”.



However, Manning said his wife, the Local Government minister, Hazel Manning, had given specific instructions to the house manager that in keeping with the position adopted by WASA, that water should not be used in that manner.