She added that Jearlean John will continue to be chair of UDeCOTT and oversee its operations until a new board is appointed.
John submitted he resignation when the new government took office. However Planning Minister mary king asked her to stay on pending the appointment of a board.
The Prime Minister told Newsday, “I have no choice but to keep UDeCOTT because of the financial commitments, and I am currently in the process of putting a new board in place.”
The paper quoted government sources as saying that Persad-Bissessar is pleased with John, who was a cabinet minister in the Panday UNC government, and might keep her as chair of UDeCOTT.
John is also the managing director of the Housing Development Corporation (HDC).
UDeCOTT has been one of the most controversial government companies and was the subject of a commission of inquiry which found evidence of widespread irregularities.
Its former executive chairman Clader Hart quit just before the report of of the inquiry was handed to the president and left the country with his wife and young daughter.
Hart is currently under investigation for fraud. Five senior manager of UDeCOTT are also under suspension. UDeCOTT has not awarded any contracts since the general election.
The Manning PNM administration created UDeCOTT in 1994 as a limited liability company. It has operated as the main project management company for government's mega projects handling billions of dollars.
When Keith Rowley questioned a lack of oversight by UDeCOTT Manning kicked him out of cabinet, saying his "wajang" behaviour was not acceptable.
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