TT opposition wants audit, police probe of mega contracts

Opposition Chief Whip Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj told reporters Friday he has written to the Commissioner of Police, Director of Public Prosecutions and the Auditor General, requesting an investigation into allegations of corruption at the Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (UDeCOTT).

Maharaj was speaking at a news conference after Friday's sitting of the House of Representatives.

The former Attorney General stressed that there is a need to investigate whether UDeCOTT or its board members had committed a criminal offence, following allegations Dr Keith Rowley that the company was operating without adequate Cabinet oversight.

Prime Minister Patrick Manning fired Rowley as Trade and Industry minister for what he says was unacceptable behaviour at a cabinet sub-committee meeting at which Rowley raised concerns about UDeCOTT's plans to build a 60-room hotel at the site of the former Princess Building in Port of Spain.

Rowley claimed that the project was not approved by the Cabinet and said Manning fired him because he raised red flags. He said contrary to the impression that Manning has given, he did not behave like a "hooligan".

Manning was out of the country at the time and the chairman of the meeting, Dr. Lenny Saith, did not object to Rowley's manner. He has since succeeded Rowley.

Maharaj said some of the projects in question include the Academies for the Performing Arts, the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba and the Scarborough Hospital.

He said they are all under under threat from cost over-runs, rising construction costs, labour shortages, equipment problems, lack of quality control, lack of statutory approvals and procedural irregularities.

The Tabaquite MP said the Chamber of Commerce raised concerns about UDeCOTT in 2005 , noting that last year ten business groups last year wrote to the Prime Minister, expressing concerns about corruption and possible breach of the tendering process by UDeCOTT.

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Maharaj said if Manning and members of his his Cabinet don't act on these allegations their inaction may be construed as misconduct in public office, for which they could be prosecuted.

He said he filed a motion in Parliament Friday to House Speaker Barendra Sinanan on the UDeCOTT allegations and noted that the Opposition will continue to bring the issue to the fore in and out of Parliament.

He said that the Opposition will also organize public marches on the UDeCOTT and corruption, beginning with a march this weekend in Tabaquite.

The opposition UNC-A, Rowley and independent Senator Mary King have all called for a public inquiry into the operations of UDeCOTT. Manning has dismissed the calls and said he is not launching any probe.

And on Thursday, his wife and Cabinet colleague Senator Hazel Manning, seemed to have closed the matter when she told reporters, "The Prime Minister has spoken."