Jack says his decision on Airport lights contracts was legal, not worried about controversy

Jack Warner is not losing any sleep because of the controversy over the award of contracts to two firms for the $83 million upgrade of the Airfield Lighting Control and Monitoring System at the country's two airports.

Reporters asked the Works and Transport Minister about the matter Sunday during a news conference with Maxi taxi drivers at his office in Port of Spain.

Warner decided that the contracts would be re-tendered after the Prime Minister asked for a review.

The minister also provided an explanation of the entire process to show that everything was legal on the award of the contracts, noting that it began in 2009 under the watch of the previous Manning PNM administration.

He signed off on the contracts in the absence of a board of directors at the Airports Authority (AA), acting under the provisions of the law which gives the minister such authority. 

Warner acted on the basis of a recommendation from the AA's senior management.

Read the story: Warner approved Airports contract in accordance with rules, will have project re-tendered

The minister reiterated that he did nothing wrong. He said he agreed to sign the contracts because the AA indicated that the upgrade to the lights was needed because the present conditions pose a security risk risk.

He added that when he met the Chief Secretary in the Tobago House of Assembly on August 24 Orville London told him that the problem with the lights at Crown Point needed an urgent upgrade.

“He said in Tobago a plane could not land. He said so to me...I said okay, let’s see what we can do,” Warner said. He also stated that the Airports Authority told him the lights were “critical” and assured him that everything was transparent with the tendering process.

“And as the line minister, I had no resistance whatsoever to tell them to go ahead,” Warner added.

Warner said he has no problem with re tendering for the project. “Let it stay so. I have no problem. I have no problem cause if you know me well, nothing stands under my feet. And if that is the system that the country wants, go ahead...I have no problem with that," the minister said.

The minister is also not bothered about persons who are trying to undermine him.

"They could try until doomsday, looking for something, members both within and without my organisation, they can try, nothing they will find on me, because I came here not wanting anything except to improve the lives of the people," Warner said.

"At the end of the day I couldn't be bothered, I will continue to sleep very soundly at night...nobody can point their finger at me."

Reporters asked specifically whether there are persons within his own organisation working against him. "Oh sure there are, as in any organisation, but I don't let that worry me," he said.

He added, "In a family that happens, but you don't allow that to stop you from doing what you believe you must do. You have to have a vision, you have to be committed, you have to have a purpose and then let the chips fall where it fall."