The Works and Transport Minister was speaking at Golconda at the launch of the new $7.2 billion highway from San Fernando to Point Fortin.
Warner devoted his speech to setting the records straight about the award of the contract to the Brazilian firm Construtora OAS, which has been contracted by the world football body, FIFA, to build stadiums for the 2014 football World Cup.
Speaking at a news conference on Monday Imbert questioned whether the relationship between Construtora and FIFA was responsible for the "lightning speed" in the award of the contract. He also called Tuesday's sod turning a "pappyshow", saying there is no money allocated for the project in the budget.
Warner said those were "foolish comments from a foolish man". He said he had intended to speak about the biggest development project in the country's history and the benefits it would bring to the country but he had to "tear up my nice speech" to deal with the issues that Imbert raised.
In a step by step account of the timeline for the project the Transport Minister showed that there was no "lightning speed" in the award of the contract and it was Imbert's ministry that accepted the recommendation to award the contract to Construtora.
Warner, who is the longest serving FIFA Vice President, said the contract for the World Cup was awarded on June 8, 2008 when he was an opposition MP. With respect to the highway contract, he said the project tender was done on April 22, 2010 while he was still in opposition. The tender evaluation committee met on May 13 and short listed three companies, he added.
Imbert was still the Works and Transport Minister at the time. Warner said the 15-member committee comprised of government officials and experts met on May 20, four days before the general election, and recommended that the contract be awarded to Construtora, which had the lowest bid of $5.2 billion.
Referring to notes from the ministry, Warner said that same day the board of NIDCO, which is responsible for the project, took a decision to hand the contract to Construtora.
On May 25, 2010 - the day after the People's Partnership won the election and one day before Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar took the oath of office - the NIDCO board invited Construtora to Port of spain for discussions about the contract.
Warner said the evidence is clear that he had nothing to do with the award of the contract up to that time since he was not a member of government although the PNM was voted out of office. "So what is this foolishness about FIFA?" he asked.
Warner explained further that when he took office as Works and Transport Minister he put a halt on the contract because he wanted to check it carefully "because with Imbert you never know."
The minister said once it was clear that everything was OK a decision was made in December to invite Construtora for final discussions following which the contract was awarded.
Warner also addressed Imbert's other comment - about the lack of funds. He said banks are lining up to offer money for the mega-project. He did not provide details, saying that the minister of finance will do so at the appropriate time. However he said the details will "blow your mind".
The contract has an airtight clause that ensures that there is a cap on cost, which means that there will be no cost overruns. The four lane, 50 kilometre highway will have several special features including solar powered street and traffic lights all the way.
Warner also announced that his ministry would soon be launching other projects, including the construction of two hospitals, - one in Chaguanas in March and the other in Point Fortin in August - the Mamoral Dam and others all over the country.
He said these projects would put life back into the construction sector and boost employment to revive the economy.
Warner also advised citizens to be wary of what they read since from time to time they would find things that are not true. "Take everything with a pinch of salt," he advised.
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