Letter: Rowley's "hot air" won't change the facts

The Leader of the Opposition does not have to like it or agree with it, but the facts behind the airport lighting contracts issue do not show any attempt at malfeasance by Works Minister Jack Warner or the People's Partnership.

The facts are that the Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the Airports Authority (AATT) have confirmed that critically urgent works needed to be done to the lighting system. 

 

Left undone this could hamper air traffic to our airports, possibly endangering lives and/or threatening a downgrade of our airports' ratings by the FAA and making us less attractive to international airlines.

 

The THA Chief Secretary pleaded the case of Crown Point Airport with Minister Warner.

 

The CAA Director General who also sat on the AATT Board confirmed the decision by the former board that work was needed to the lighting system, including the scope of works and the cost. In the time since the situation has deteriorated and the extent of the works would have increased.

 

All that Minister Warner did was to split the package into two pieces and to award them to two companies that have a history of doing such work for the airports.

 

From the facts, Warner was guided by the previous board's decision and he acted within his authority as Minister to issue the directive to the AATT in the absence of a functioning board.

 

It does not seem that Mr Warner made any attempts to hide these contracts.

 

So there is neither fire nor smoke here only hot air being blown by a political activist/businessman who suddenly seems to be disgruntled about something.

 

It is even more suspicious when the complainant has recently and suddenly acquired earth moving equipment that is parked up idle, as though he expected certain types of work which he has not gotten. 

 

Weigh both sides and it is obvious which side has the credibility and is telling the truth.

Needless to say, and understandably so, the Opposition will try to scratch at this hoping to find something they can use to their political advantage.

 

This one is a dud, Dr Rowley. You should focus your energies elsewhere.

Marsha Clarke |Maracas, St Joseph