THA chief says no law breached

Orville London. Guardian photo

The Express newspaper has quoted Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Chief Secretary Orville London as saying that he is not "overly concerned" with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar's intention to probe projects in Tobago.

The paper said London said the THA has "always operated within the law" and that everything in the transactions cited by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has been done within the law.

"The Prime Minister may interpret the law in a particular way. I operate based on legal advice and based on the law...I don't know which law we have broken, but we never operate in a reckless manner," the paper quoted him as saying.

The Express said London expressed concern about the Prime Minister's intention to have the Attorney General probe the Bacolet Indoor and Aquatic Centre and the THA Administration Complex in Tobago.

"It is quite obvious that this is an attempt to politicise the THA election. The fact that the projects have engaged the Prime Minister's attention is evidence that it is about the elections. This is their style," London said.

"It is no issue if the Prime Minister's interpretation of the law is different. It is not a criminal act, it is just a different interpretation of the law and we need to treat with it. The law needs to be clarified in this type of situation," he said.

London claimed that the central government has not provided enough funding so the THA is forced to entertain Build, Own, Lease, Transfer (BOLT) arrangements in order to start and complete necessary projects.
Joseph Rahael, director at Milshirv Properties Ltd, the company at the centre of the BOLT arrangements with the THA, told the Express he has no problem with an investigation. "We welcome any call for transparency and good governance," he said, adding that it would be an opportunity to clear his and his family's name against "false allegations"