Kamla asks IC to probe 2 UDeCOTT directors for conflict of interest

Opposition leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar got off with a running start with the new Integrity Commission that took office Monday.

Within hours of the swearing-in she raised two matters of possible conflict of interest involving UDeCOTT board members, Dr Krishna Bahadoorsingh and Michael Annisette.

Persad-Bissessar wrote the commissing alleging that in 2006 UDeCOTT built a $20 million dual carriageway road leading to a private development owned by Bahadoorsingh at Brentwood Palms, Chaguanas.

The UNC leader claimed that UDeCOTT is not in the road building business and that the road in question was built without cabinet approval.

She noted that former housing minister, Dr Keith Rowley, had turned down Bahadoorsingh's request to build the road.

Persad-Bissessar is asking the new Integrity Commission to investigate whether there was a clear conflict of interest in the project since Bahadoorsingh is the deputy chairman of UDeCOTT.

With regard to Annisette, Persad-Bissessar, has written to the commission, seeking answers and clarification on state property given to the National Union of Government and Federated Workers (NUGFW) at competitive prices for the development of a housing estate.

She claimed that in February 2004, the state leased almost nine hectares of NHA Valsayn lands to a joint venture company, NUGFW Construction Company Ltd, for $2.5 million. Annisette was president of the union at the time, she stated.

She said NUGFW sold the land for $7.2 million to UDeCOTT while Annisette was a member of the UDeCOTT board.

Persad-Bissessar quoted Rowley’s testimony at the Uff Commission on Enquiry,
"It is disturbing to note that this State land, which was facilitated at favourable rates to the private sector, apparently returned to the public sector by purchase through an arrangement between NUGFW Construction, UDeCOTT and Hafeez Karamath Ltd, designated as the sole development contractor."

Persad-Bissessar said: "It appears that Mr Annisette, at the same time that he was a shareholder and part owner of NUGFW Construction company, (a) was exercising a public function when he participated in the decision making with respect to the transactions involving the Valsayn land and housing project and (b) that he knew and ought reasonably to have known that in the making of the decision, there was an opportunity either directly and/or indirectly to further his private interests."

She added, "In the circumstance, he must have known that there was and is such an opportunity since a hefty profit of $5 million was made when UDeCOTT, of which he is a director, purchased the lands from the NUGFW Construction Company."