By Gail Alexander and Juhel Browne

Describing Malcom Jones as a good friend, Prime Minister Patrick Manning yesterday defended the $70,000-plus salary of the Petrotrin executive chairman, saying the salary was “quite in order” given Jones’ experience.

“He undoubtedly is (a friend)... and a better friend I don’t have. Except my wife, of course,” the PM said at a post-Cabinet news conference yesterday.

“Government considers itself very fortunate to obtain his expertise and managerial experience. He’s the only man in T&T who has worked in every aspect of the petroleum energy sector,” Manning said.

Outlining Jones’ professional background, Manning added: “His breadth of exposure and experience is very great, therefore it’s our view that the salary was quite in order.”

He said he was even prepared to take on the UNC on the issue, if the Opposition brought it up during the local government election campaign.

Manning denied there was any dissension within his Cabinet on the issue, but declined to comment on controversial remarks by junior Finance Minister Ken Valley that the salary recommendation had not come to Cabinet for approval.

Manning said Valley was in Cuba when the matter was raised in Cabinet last week.

Earlier this week, Valley said Cabinet never approved Williams’ package, a view which conflicted with comments by Energy Minister Eric Williams and Public Administration Minister Dr Lenny Saith. Williams said all procedures were followed.

Manning said a divergence of views in Cabinet was normal.

“Inevitably you’ll have disagreements... but it is the majority view that prevails,” he added.

Junior Finance Minister Conrad Enill, who chairs the six-member Public Sector Negotiations Committee,Junior Finance Minister Conrad Enill, chairman of the Public Sector Negotiations Committee (PSNC), said yesterday Jones’ salary and any other decision made by the committee does not need Cabinet approval.

The PSNC has “delegated authority” to make decisions on its own, Enill said at the briefing.

Enill, explaining how the PSNC works, said: “It has not been customary to seek Cabinet’ s approval or ratification of its decision because the committee by nature of what it does has delegated authority in so far as these matters are concerned.”

Asked about Valley’s remarks on the issue, Manning said:

“I don’t know what he said...don’t try to put words in my mouth. The Prime Minister does not make it a habit of commenting on the utterance of his Ministers.”

Asked whether Valley would be reprimanded, Manning said: “If a Prime Minister wishes to scold a Minister, he would not do it on Frederick Street or in a press conference .”