Rowley says "high-ranking" gov't officials helping UDeCOTT undermine Uff probe

Keith Rowley is not convinced of government's sincerity in dealing with the UDeCOTT affair and is suggesting that UDeCOTT has the backing of "high-ranking" government officials.

He insists that what the Manning administration needs to do is fire the UDeCOTT board and withdraw the judicial review matter that's before the courts.

"Anything short of that is a dereliction of duty," the former cabinet minister said, noting that government's move to amend the consent order is just an attempt to fool the people.

In a deal worked out between the Attorney General and UDeCOTT executive chairman Calder Hart, the state organization will return to court to seek an amendment to a court order that has effectively shut down the Uff inquiry until at least February 2010.

Read the story: AG, Hart make deal...

But sources say the mandate of the commissioners runs out within weeks and if that mandate is not renewed, the commission would cease to exist.

Rowley told the Trinidad Express a government should not burden the commission by UDeCOTT's "machinations, manipulations and expensive forays in the court".

He added, "It is the duty of the Government to remove the board so that they cannot instruct lawyers to undermine the Commission."

The PNM MP said, "The members of the board are appointees of the Cabinet, they are not equity holders in the state company. If they do not like how Government is running public policy, then they free to resign and go home."

Rowley insisted that UDeCOTT's board has no rights beyond the shareholder's rights. And he said the persons who are responsible for ensuring that the shareholder's rights prevail is the Government, "the trustee for the public."

Rowley claimed that UDeCOTT has the backing of "high-ranking" members of the Government to undermine the commission, adding that the logical thing would have been to remove UDeCOTT boss Calder Hart, whose personal conduct has come under scrutiny as a result of evidence which came before the commission.

"But instead he is holding his post and using other people on the board to portray UDeCOTT as a victim at huge cost to the public, while the objective is clear...that UDeCOTT's objective is to undermine the commission," Rowley stated.

The Diego Martin West MP also wants the Minister of Finance to say what is the total compensation package for Hart.

In a question filed in Parliament he is asking the minister to say what Hart makes in his various positions as:

• Executive chairman of UDeCOTT
• Home Mortgage Bank
• Trinidad and Tobago Mortgage Finance Company
• National Insurance Board
• National Insurance Property Development Company
• Hart holds positions on these Government and quasi-Government enterprises.

Rowley also wants to know the other financial perks attached to these positions, including housing, transport, overseas travel, entertainment and medical allowances and whether there is any provision for any bonus payment relevant to these positions and the basis for such payments as they exist in any of these agencies or companies.