PORT OF SPAIN – Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Percival Noel James Patterson, more popularly known as PJ Patterson, received warm expressions of affection from his Prime Ministerial colleagues at this his last CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting as Prime Minister.
Mr. Patterson announced his intention to retire from active politics before the end of his tenure as Prime Minister after more than 30 years in the service of the Caribbean. He held several cabinet posts under Prime Minister Manley and after Manley’s resignation in 1992, became Prime Minister and leader of the People’s National Party. He was re-elected three times making him Jamaica’s longest-serving Prime Minister.
Caricom’s new Chairman, Prime Minister Patrick Manning, said he felt privileged to be among the fortunate few who would, for the last time around the CARICOM head table, experience first hand, Prime Minister Patterson’s love and commitment for our Caribbean people. He said Minister Patterson played an important role in bringing CARICOM into being with the 1973 Treaty of Chaguaramas.
Mr. Manning said he felt honored this aspect of Prime Minister Patterson’s life’s journey should end on Trinidad’s soil.
Also expressing his views was Prime Minister of St. Lucia, Dr. Kenny Anthony, who described Mr. Patterson’s presence as “calming” and said he would miss “his thoughtful and analytical mind, his capacity to focus on incisive issues, his friendship and his sincerity”.
