The process became controversial when a lawyer for one of the 14 companies that bid for the $40 million contract complained of discriminatory practices by NP and alleged that NP had awarded the contract to a company that is owned by someone who is a friend of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
Last week at the post cabinet media conference Ramlogan said the process was flawed and recommended to the board that the process should be quashed and restarted. He also made it clear that contrary to what had been reported in the media, NP did not award a contract to anyone.
Ramlogan also said there were inconsistencies in the evaluation process with the incumbent company, CDS Transport, getting high marks from the same executive management team that expressed serious concerns about the age of the CDS fleet, safety infractions and loss time due to long period of downtime.
Ramlogan also explained that the bidding was open to anyone so no company had to prequalify. In addition he said the contract was for the supply of vehicles for the transport of fuel.
However the opposition leader is convinced that there is some kind of coverup in the matter and has accused the AG of trying to protect wrongdoers.
Rowley's letter to the Integrity Commission states that he objects to the conduct of the AG, whom he said has appointed himself chief investigator, adjudicator and exonerator in the matter.
Rowley said the AG is overstepping his jurisdiction, which is to offer legal advice to the Cabinet.
The PNM leader also complained about Wade Mark, Speaker of the House of Representatives, saying he behaves as if he is a schoolmaster dealing with children under his supervision.
He said he and the PNM won't tolerate that.
Rowley told reporters he is deeply concerned about Mark's attitude in shutting down opposition MPs who want to raise important issues in the Parliament. And he said if Mark doesn't change his attitude to the opposition, he has other means of speaking with citizens.
“If we can’t speak in the Parliament, the power of office lies with the people. We don’t have to speak in the Parliament. We’ll speak outside, if we have to.” he said. Rowley was speaking at his bi-weekly news conference at his Charles Street, Port-of-Spain, office yesterday.
He said: “We are not prepared to be treated like school children at the behest of a Speaker who has completely changed his cloak and decided that the Parliament is a place where you cannot speak, you cannot upset anybody because there is something called personal reflection which cannot be cast.
“We have watched it developed. It has reached to a point now where the Speaker is virtually threatening members, talking down to members, even anticipating what you are going to say and ruling before you say it.” According to Rowley, that situation was not good for the people of T&T.
Last week at the post cabinet media conference Ramlogan said the process was flawed and recommended to the board that the process should be quashed and restarted. He also made it clear that contrary to what had been reported in the media, NP did not award a contract to anyone.
Ramlogan also said there were inconsistencies in the evaluation process with the incumbent company, CDS Transport, getting high marks from the same executive management team that expressed serious concerns about the age of the CDS fleet, safety infractions and loss time due to long period of downtime.
Ramlogan also explained that the bidding was open to anyone so no company had to prequalify. In addition he said the contract was for the supply of vehicles for the transport of fuel.
However the opposition leader is convinced that there is some kind of coverup in the matter and has accused the AG of trying to protect wrongdoers.
Rowley's letter to the Integrity Commission states that he objects to the conduct of the AG, whom he said has appointed himself chief investigator, adjudicator and exonerator in the matter.
Rowley said the AG is overstepping his jurisdiction, which is to offer legal advice to the Cabinet.
The PNM leader also complained about Wade Mark, Speaker of the House of Representatives, saying he behaves as if he is a schoolmaster dealing with children under his supervision.
He said he and the PNM won't tolerate that.
Rowley told reporters he is deeply concerned about Mark's attitude in shutting down opposition MPs who want to raise important issues in the Parliament. And he said if Mark doesn't change his attitude to the opposition, he has other means of speaking with citizens.
“If we can’t speak in the Parliament, the power of office lies with the people. We don’t have to speak in the Parliament. We’ll speak outside, if we have to.” he said. Rowley was speaking at his bi-weekly news conference at his Charles Street, Port-of-Spain, office yesterday.
He said: “We are not prepared to be treated like school children at the behest of a Speaker who has completely changed his cloak and decided that the Parliament is a place where you cannot speak, you cannot upset anybody because there is something called personal reflection which cannot be cast.
“We have watched it developed. It has reached to a point now where the Speaker is virtually threatening members, talking down to members, even anticipating what you are going to say and ruling before you say it.” According to Rowley, that situation was not good for the people of T&T.
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