• 07 JUL 2016

Post Cabinet Briefing Summary – Thursday 7th July, 2016

The Honourable Stuart Young, Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister and Minister in the Office of the Attorney General, addressed members of the media during the Post Cabinet Press Briefing today (Thursday 7th July, 2016) at the Office of the Prime Minister, St. Clair, Port of Spain.

During the conference, Minister Young provided updates on the state funeral arrangements for Former Prime Minister Patrick Manning. Mr. Manning’s body will lie in state at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) tomorrow (July 8th 2016) at 10am. Additionally, there will be a procession in Port of Spain – the Waterfront Complex, the Magnificent 7 and other historic buildings that would have played an important role in Mr. Manning’s career will be included in the route.

Prime Minister Rowley has confirmed that at the recently concluded CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting in Guyana, the vast majority of CARICOM countries expressed that they will be represented by their head of state; head of government or by high ranking government officials at the funeral on Saturday.

Minister Young also noted that a request has been made of the Anglican Diocese to explore the possibility of having Mr Manning’s body entombed on the compound of the Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity POS. Additionally, an Inter-ministerial Committee, chaired by the Head of the Public Service and the Permanent Secretary to the Prime Minister, has been established to oversee the matter.

The proceedings of the Funeral are as follows:

  1. The state funeral service will be held on Saturday July 9th 2016 at 10am. There will be a private service for the family at Belgroves’ at the Orange Grove Memorial Gardens, Tacarigua to be followed by the final committal.
  2. The Government has offered to meet the total expenses incurred with respect to the funeral arrangements. The Government will also be meeting the costs associated with the provision of transport and security to be assigned to the various Government representatives of CARICOM member states.
  3. Mr. Manning’s body will be entombed on the compound of the Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity Port of Spain.
  4. Mr. Manning’s body will be carried on a gun carriage. He will be afforded full military honours including a 10 gun salute.
  5. Mr. Manning’s body is laying in honour at the NAPA South campus today, and in state at the NAPA North campus tomorrow.
  6. The national flag will continue to be flown at half-mast throughout Trinidad and Tobago as well as at all foreign missions, until the funeral. The President’s standard is to be lowered and replaced by the national flag which is then to be flown at half-mast. Additionally, the national flag will be placed over Mr Manning’s coffin as though the pole was at the head of the coffin

It must be noted that the Cathedral can comfortably hold an approximate maximum of 925-950 persons. In light of this, large tents that can accommodate up to 1200 people will be placed at the outskirts of the Cathedral and further accommodation via tents and seating will be made in Woodford Square.

There will be a section for specially invited guests and invitations are being sent out because of the limited availability of space. Arrangements are also being made for large screen televisions to be placed at strategic points throughout the country for citizens to view.

It is hoped that when Mr Manning’s body is being led to NAPA, persons will line the street and pay their regards to him.