Browne alleges corruption involving vehicle rentals to MTS

The MP for Diego Martin Central alleged on Friday that the chairman of the National Maintenance, Training and Security Company (MTS) is involved in a conflict of interest involving the rental of vehicles to MTS from his own company.

Amery Browne made the charge in his contribution to the Parliamentary debate of no confidence in PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar brought by the opposition.

Browne described the MTS chairman as a financier of the People's Partnership who was "hand-picked" by the Prime Minister. He said the man's car company is renting vehicles to MTS at a cost of $3 million per year.

“A very sweet and cushy deal. State enterprises that the Prime Minister promised to clean up, this is happening right under the happy gaze of members opposite,” Browne said.

He said the MTS chairman cancelled rental arrangements in order to get the company to rent vehicles imported by his own company.

He said the rent ranged from $9,200 a month for Ford Rangers to Nissan Tiida vehicles at $6,200 per month. The MP said the prices are inflated.

He further claimed that there are irregularities in the rental arrangement - no tenders, no VAT registration and no rental agreement. He insisted that it is a clear case of conflict of interest.

Browne further alleged that the MTS chairman is the person who reported to the media that he had received a container of chicken "contaminated by drugs" and that the chairman was "shielded and cradled" by the Government.

"It appears under this Government that it have one law for the rich and one for the poor," he said.