Jack stands behind decision to demolish Debe camp; Says he did not consult PM or CoP

National Security Minister Jack Warner has no regrets about the demolition of the camp set up on the route of the Point Fortin Highway by the Highway Re-Route Movement led by Wayne Kublalsingh.

Soldiers knocked down the illegal camp Wednesday morning to make way for the contractors to begin work on the section from Golconda to Debe.

Speaking with reporters at Thursday's post cabinet media briefing Warner said he is ready to face whatever consequences come as a result of his action. And he made it clear that he did not have any prior discussions on the matter with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

"The Prime Minister did not give me any instruction. The Prime Minister did not advise me. I did not ask her. I didn't tell her what I was doing. I acted on my own accord and whether of course I would rise or fall on this or whether I would get a backlash, I said before. I am prepared for it," he declared.

Warner also confirmed that Police Commissioner Dwayne Gibbs did not give instructions for the police to be present.

"The military officers were directed by the Chief of Defense Staff, Kenrick Maharaj, who was there from the beginning until after eight. And the police, they had been sent by ACP Fitzroy Frederick, he is the person to whom I spoke and he's in charge of the police in the South Western Division," the minister explained.

The protesters had been holding up work on the highway, demanding that the government change the route. That has cost the government money.

Works and Infrastructure Minister Emmanuel George told reporters he does not know the exact cost but plans to meet with the Chairman of the National Infrastructure Development Company (NIDCO) to get an estimate of the losses. He said the meeting with Carson Charles is planned for Friday.

"Hopefully I will get all of the details and what it has cost so far and what it has potentially cost this Government every day that the work on the Highway cannot go on," George said.

Warner said he held 12 meetings with the re-route group and advised them of some changes to be made to the route. He said Wednesday's action was the best way to tackle the issue and save millions of taxpayers dollars from being wasted. The projected cost of the highway to Point Fortin is more than seven billion dollars.

In a related development NIDCO issued a status report Thursday on the highway project. It said the contractors, Construtora OAS, have moved their equipment onto the Debe site and has recommenced clearing and grubbing up to the end of the Phase 1 highway segment as per the contract agreement. 

"The demolition of the camp has paved the way for the contractor to complete the Golconda to Debe segment of the highway in accordance with the contract," NIDCO said. 

The estimated cost of construction of the Debe to Mon Desir segment is $2.1 billion and the projected completion date is May 2014. However NIDCO said the contractors expect to complete the segment not later than June 2013.