T&TEC chairman quits amid allegations of conflict of interest

Devanand Ramlal quit as chairman of the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission Wednesday with immediate effect three days after Opposition Senator Wade Mark alleged, during his budget contribution, that Ramlal had been engaged in several corrupt practices at T&TEC within the past few years.

Ramlal accused Mark of exposing him to public ridicule by hiding under the protection of parliamentary privilege.

The businessman said, “While some have publicly ridiculed me without one single evidence, attacks have been launched against me and my cherished name, I feel compelled, in spite of all that I have said, I feel compelled to step aside after the vicious and malicious attack in the Parliament.”

And he called on the Government to initiate a full-scale investigation into the allegations made by Mark against him and the power corporation in order to clear his name.

"I feel it is the correct and the proper thing to do,” he told reporters. He said his family's name is priceless and said he now understands “why good people would not come forward to serve.”

Ramlal is trying to sue Mark for statements the Senator made but admitted to reporters that such action would likely not succeed, “Because, you know, when you say something in the Parliament, absolute privilege it attracts.”

He called Mark a coward and has challenged him to make the accusations outside of Parliament.

Mark had raised questions about an apparent conflict of interest in tendering for the purchase of items for T&TEC's Street Lighting Implementation Unit.

He alleged that between July and August 2005, Roopnarine Hardware had won contracts valued at about $13.4 million to supply materials for the project. The senator said Ramlal's aunt owned the hardware. Ramlal admitted that Roopnarine Hardware is owned by his cousins but since they are not direct family members there was no conflict of interest.

Mark told the Trinidad Express he feels "vindicated" by the developments. And he said the Opposition is still demanding a "full and comprehensive Commission of Enquiry with forensic personnel attached, into the operations of T&TEC during Ramlal's stewardship.

Ramlal served as head of the electricity corporation since October 1996. His term was due to end in June 2009.