Jack slams Imbert, praises PM Kamla's intervention on airports contracts

Jack Warner on Friday revealed that his predecessor Colm Imbert authorised more than two dozen contracts in excess of $200 million without the approval of a board.

The Works and Transport Minister was responding to a motion in the House of Representatives brought by Imbert regarding two projects approved by Warner for rehabilitation of the lighting system at Trinidad and Tobago's two international airports and the award of a $200 million contract to Vincci Construction for a bridge at the intersection of the Uriah Butler/Churchill-Roosevelt highways without tender.

Warner produced a list of some of the contracts that Imbert approved with no board approval:

• July 7, 2008: A US $982,000 contract was given to JAW Handsmass for coastal protection works at Blanchisseuse/Matelot, Gran Riviere, San Souci and Toco 
• July 14: Contract valued at more than $969,000 to Colin Parcant to install concrete works at Flatrock in San Fernando 
• September 23, 2008: Contract to Andrea Abel of Trintoplan for $7.9 million to conduct surveys at the Mamoral Dam and Reservoir projects 
• March 19, Shazam Ali was given a contract to construct the water taxi terminal in Port-of-Spain at a cost of $1.2 million

Warner added that Imbert also approved two other projects for projects at Flatrock in San Fernando, without board approval.

He revealed other contracts that Imbert approved without board approvals.

"On January 12, 2009, without board approval, this former minister of works and transport—this angel—gave Phillip Whiteman a contract for $11.5 million for St Joseph River works," Warner said.

“This Minster, on January 12, gave two contracts to the same man, without board approval,” Warner declared, adding that the second contract was to the value of more than $13 million for Blue Basin improvement works. 

Imbert earlier told the House Warner broke the law when he approved the airport contracts, pointing out that he made the award of two contracts although one contractor had won the bid for the projects.

Warner split the contracts into two. He has since decided to have the contracts re tendered, although he has provided clear arguments to show that his actions in awarding the contracts without a board in place were legal and constitutional.

With respect to the highway contract Imbert accused Warner of awarding it without tender to Vincci Construction although the previous Manning cabinet had accepted a note for tenders to be invited for the project.

“There was no reason whatsoever for tenders not to be invited, Mr Speaker,” Imbert added.

Warner has admitted a breach of the rules in the splitting of the airports contracts. And on Friday he congratulated Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar for stopping the award of the contracts for the airports lighting projects.

“Prime Minister, I want to publicly thank you for the advice,” he said as he looked at Persad-Bissessar who was sitting next to him. His remarks brought loud desk thumping from the Government benches.

“It did not go forward...As long as we on this side can admit our errors...we’ll be here for a very long time,” Warner declared.