Report on corruption allegations at T&TEC coming mid-March

Trinidad and Tobago's Public Utilities Minister Mustapha Abdul-Hamid said Thursday that within two weeks he expects to have a final report on allegations of corruption against former electricity commission (T&TEC) chairman Devanand Ramlal. The minister said a preliminary report has already been prepared.

Ramlal quit in October last year after UNC-A Senate leader Wade Mark made serious corruption allegations against him.

Related story: T&TEC Chairman quits...

The minister said the Central Audit Unit (CAU) of the Finance Ministry is conducted a “very detailed audit” into “a number of aspects of T&TEC’s business.”

He said the investigation includes the matters raised in the Senate by Mark relating to T&TEC’s street lighting implementing unit, transactions with Kamus Mufflers Ltd, purchase of electricity poles from Klum Lumber of the U.S. and two other areas.

“I am in receipt of an interim report and have been advised by the Ministry that we can expect a final report by mid-March,” Abdul Hamid told reporters.

He said Government is investigating specific transactions to see if anyone broke T&TEC’s rules and regulations.

In response to a question about the loss of between $15 and $20 million in revenue due to the closure of Mittal Steel, the minister assured reporters that it was "not a significant sum" adding that the commission is strong enough to withstand that loss.