Energy Minister Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan said Friday she is investigating claims by a transport company that the National Petroleum Marketing Company Limited exercised bias in the award of a transport contract.
The Minister also said that any award of contracts for transport by NP will be put on hold, pending the outcome of this investigation.
Attorney Martin George has written to the minister on behalf of CDS Transport Limited, asking her to investigate the allegation "in the interest of fairness, accountability and transparency."
Media reports on Friday alleged that NP showed bias in the award of the $40 million contract for the lease of 20 tractor trucks to a garbage contractor in east Trinidad.
In a media release Seepersad-Bachan said, "I received this letter today, Friday, at around 10am from Attorney Martin George and I have noted its contents. And yes, in the interest of fairness, accountability and transparency an investigation has been ordered.
"However, the letter called on me to respond by 4pm today, which in effect gives just a few hours to respond to a very serious allegation," she told reporters.
She added, "I am therefore not going to be commenting until I have all of the facts of this matter before me and I have had a chance to discuss these facts with the Chairman and Board of NPMC."
Minister Seepersad-Bachan said: "I have requested the Chairman, Mr Neil Gosine, to provide all reports pertaining to the award of this contract."
The minister said, "A response will be sent to Mr George today, as requested, indicating what I have just said."
George has welcomed the minister's decision to query the matter and said he will not press her further.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar has said she does not know about the contract, noting that several contracts go out without the knowledge of Cabinet.
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