Police executed a search warrant of the offices of Shanghai Corporation Tuesday and took away several documents, including plans for the controversial Heights of Guanapo church and the PM’s residence in St Ann’s.Shanghai managing director Michael Zhang facilitated the search, according to local media reports.
During the campaign for the May 24 general election, then opposition leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar produced documents and plans that connected Prime Minister Patrick Manning to the church.
Although Manning denied that he was involved, the architect who worked on the project has confirmed Manning's involvement.The opposition alleged widespread corruption and suggested that UDeCOTT and Shanghai Construction were involved in the project and that plans for buildings at the PM's residence were really the plans for the Arima church.
Read the story: Letter shows connection between architect and Manning's spiritual adviser
Read related story: Probe begins into Arima church, police to question Manning
Acting Police Commissioner James Philbert told reporters the investigation is "highly sensitive" and requires a lot of thorough work which cannot be rushed. Shanghai Corporation is owned by the Chinese government.
It is registered in Trinidad and Tobago and provides Chinese labourers for several construction projects locally on a Government to Government arrangement. UDeCOTT awarded the company several lucrative contracts, including the construction of the PM's residence and diplomatic centre and the national arts centre.
They stopped work on the church project four days before the May 24 general election. The building is reported to be costing $30 million and is owned by Manning's spiritual adviser, Rev. Juliana Pena.
Manning was a big fan of Shanghai Construction and boasted that the company was able to comple the official residence within eight months.
Read more about the TT/Chinese connection
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