T&T Chamber of Commerce backs Uff inquiry

The Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce has added a voice of condemnation for UDeCOTT, saying the state organization is trying to frustrate the the Uff Commission of Enquiry into UDeCOTT and the Construction Sector.

In a news release Thursday the chamber said it considers "this current state of affairs to be an affront to the nation and totally unacceptable." And it called on government to take swift and effective action to "resolve this unfortunate impasse."

The chamber said it has been observing "with amazement and consternation, the unfolding saga of the Uff Commission of Enquiry," including the government’s attempt to validate the work of the commission.

The business organization said it is "imperative" that commissioners complete their work and deliver a timely report to the president. It also said the public has a right to this "unfettered" information.

The Chamber urged the Manning government to demonstrate that it is committed to transparency and good governance and act now to resolve the problem.

The President of the Downtown Owners and Merchants Association (DOMA) also commented on the UDeCOTT matter.

Gregory Aboud told the Trinidad Guardian DOMA is "startled" by the developments, adding that a wide cross-section of the society has expressed concern about the near collapse of the Uff inquiry.

"We feel very strongly that the current episode involving UDeCOTT is straining the fragile trust that still exists in our country and is calling into question the credibility of those whose credibility had never before been doubted," Aboud said.

"The ultimate goal of the moment is the restoration of trust among all citizens with respect to the expenditure on UDeCOTT and the inquiry itself."

President Max Richards appointed the commission last year on the advice of Prime Minister Patrick Manning, who had resisted attempts by the opposition and other interest groups for any kind of investigation into UDeCOTT. In announcing the probe, Manning expanded it to include the construction sector.

The hearings were abruptly cancelled just before they were to resume last month after it was discovered that it had not been gazetted and was operating illegally.

The chairman, John Uff, said it was a technicality that would need a validation bill. Government subsequently introduced the legislation but UDeCOTT took legal action and effectively stopped the hearings and the preparation of a preliminary report until February 2010, when the High Court will hear the matter.