Thursday, August 27 2009

August 12, 2009

Mr Edward A. Collier

Pollonais, Blanc, de la Bastide & Jacelon

Attorneys at Law

Port-of-Spain, Trinidad



Dear Mr Collier,



Reference is made to your letter of July 24, 2009.



Responses to your concerns and allegations of bias follow.



Commissioner Sirju’s involvement in a Proposal in respect of the Elite Sports Training Facility at Brian Lara.



The proposal referred to in your correspondence came to my attention for the first time during the enquiry. Subsequent discussions with other directors of KS&P Ltd revealed that the submittal of concern was handled by one director in response to an invitation by a local engineer who manages a Project Management Company.

Based on available information the project does not appear to be the same as the BLCA which is under review by the Commission. You may refer to the print media of July 29, 2009.

With regards to fee structure, our company has been and remains bound by Conditions of Engagement applicable to its disciplines. Collective fees for any project team are wholly determined by the lead consultant.

You should be aware that our company is a service provider operating within the guidelines and principles of registered engineers and is one of a limited few in existence for more than thirty years with a complement of qualified, experienced and registered structural engineers.

It is not uncommon therefore and moreso in any period of heightened construction activity to be invited to participate in multiple competitive project proposals several of which do not materialise for any of a variety of reasons.

It is also common practice for a single director to respond to such invitations in relatively standard format for the purpose of expressing interest. In so doing, provision of related information including a listing of qualified personnel, is commonplace.

In any event, you should be aware that the Company with which I am associated was successful in being awarded several substantial projects undertaken by Udecott. To the best of my knowledge KS&P Ltd have not raised or participated in any objection associated with any of Udecott’s awards and has no intention of so doing.

On the contrary KS&P Ltd should remain thankful to Udecott for the opportunity to meaningfully participate in several prestigious projects under their control.



Relationship with NHIC



The assignment referred to was an urgent technical engagement understood to be mandated by relevant authorities for recommencement of work on the C&E Building. It was analytical in nature and sign-off was required by an experienced registered qualified structural engineer.

The company with which I am associated provides professional services in the particular field and accepted the engagement. I was the engineer who reviewed and endorsed the final report.

To conclude bias in any circumstance where technical professional services have been rendered to a company for a fee charged in accordance with terms prescribed by accepted Conditions of Engagement is a wide stretch of phobic imagination that borders on paranoia.



By such warped extrapolation KS&P Ltd may be classified as a paid advisor to:



• Nipdec



• Minister Imbert – Imbert Construction Services



• And of course Udecott



With regards to numerous transcript references you have cited, a detailed response will be prepared if statements you find troubling are specifically highlighted.

No doubt your allegations are now in the public domain and may be detrimental to my professional reputation as an engineer of some thirty two years experience. You should carefully consider retraction of your letter as it can affect my future practice, and indeed awards by Udecott. A statement on that decision is urgently awaited so that any further action I consider fit can be pursued.



Yours sincerely,

Kenneth Sirju MSc (Eng)