The Manning government signed rental contracts just before the May 24 general election committing the state to about $55 million in rent for four properties for up to five years.
Social activist Devant Maharaj has raised the issue as a matter of national concern and is questioning why such arrangements were made on the eve of the election.
Two of the leases were signed on May 20, one on May 26 - the day Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar took the oath of office - and the fourth the day after. This means that all of the contracts were negotiated and signed by the Manning administration.
During the election campaign the People's Partnership coalition spoke about hasty contracts being signed by the Manning regime and promised to review them to determine if they were above board.
“I am not questioning the propriety of the contracts,” Maharaj told the Trinidad Guardian Sunday, "but the timing, especially in light of the fact that there was a regime change."
The Guardian said the major office lease-rental would cost $48 million over the next five years.
It said the Manning cabinet agreed to the rent-lease 12,815.8 square metres at Aranjuez Estate to accommodate the Police Service with a monthly rental of $800,000. The facility includes parking space for 226 vehicles.
Another agreement will cost $2.3 million over three years. This property, owned by GAL Holdings Ltd., is at 141 Long Circular Road Maraval. The monthly rent is $65,000 a month for 516.5 square metres.
A third property at 65 Maracas Royal Road, Maracas will cost the government $1.4 million over three years with rent fixed at $39,000 a month. This property is for use by the police.
The other property is at 2 Tumpuna Park, Arima. It will cost $95,000 a month for three years.
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Jai & Sero
Our family at home in Toronto 2008
Amit, Heather, Fuzz, Aj, Jiv, Shiva, Rampa, Sero, Jai
1 comment:
We could not have survived another 3 years under this PNM corruption. Empty buildings everywhere owned by the government, and this is the type of thing they get away with? This is a terrible wrong that MUST be put right asap.
Break the contracts, sue those who signed, expose the property owners. Are they PNM supporters?
This PP government got in on corruption allegations against the PNM, but if they do not see to it that the law is upheld, they too will have to go. Remember the PNM also got back in because of allegations of corruption against the UNC & the Airport.
What is happening with Steve & Ish Anand? I understand they are both in the infirmary @ Golden Grove.
Are we going to allow this to go on much longer? The others in the US have been to court, been convicted & served their time, I believe. We eh shame?
The public will keep a closer eye on what is going on.
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