By Clint Chan Tack Thursday, March 18 2010

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Jearlean John...

THE Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (Udecott) will publish all of its audited financial accounts in accordance with the law. This was the word yesterday from Udecott chairman-designate Jearlean John.

However as chairman-designate, John told Newsday that she does not have the authority at this time to order Udecott to publish any specific accounts or take any specific action regarding the company’s operations. Responding to calls from the Joint Consultative Council for the Construction Industry for her to ensure that Udecott’s accounts for 2007-2009, John said as chairman-designate she did not know which of the company’s accounts were outstanding nor could she direct which accounts should be published.

Explaining that she adheres to “good corporate governance” in her professional life, John said Udecott will adhere to the law and the standing accounting practices as outlined by the law.

Udecott submits a private auditor’s statement of its accounts to Parliament. The Public Accounts Commitee and the Public Accounts Enterprises Committee (PAEC) have the power to query this statement by way of a request to the Auditor-General. Former Udecott chairman Calder Hart and other company officials have appeared in the past before the PAEC which is chaired by Opposition senator Wade Mark.

John said “due process” is taking place regarding her receiving her instrument of appointment. Stating that she speaks regularly with Planning, Housing and Environment Minister Dr Emily Gaynor Dick-Forde, John said this process is well in train. “We work well together,” she stated. Dick-Forde is the line minister for Udecott and the Housing Development Corporation, of which John is managing director.

On allegations of a conflict of interest made by the Opposition UNC against Udecott directors Dr Khrisna Bahadoorsingh and Michael Annisette, John said she did not know what the facts were in that matter and it would be irresponsible for her to comment about it.