By Clint Chan Tack Wednesday, September 23 2009

Responding to a note sent to him by Newsday during yesterday’s sitting of the Senate, Jeremie said, “Udecott can’t act in defiance of the Government in respect of either the gazetting of the commission, or the Validation Bill which will be laid shortly, or for that matter, in any respect.”

Regarding what action Government could take against the company, Jeremie said, “You must direct specific questions on its actions to the line minister, who has portfolio responsibility for Udecott.”



Udecott reports directly to Planning, Housing and Environment Minister, Dr Emily Gaynor Dick- Forde who is currently in New York with Prime Minister Patrick Manning attending the 64th General Assembly of the United Nations, and related diplomatic meetings. Jeremie said the Validation Bill will be laid in Parliament “as soon as the budget is passed.” Leader of Government Business in the Senate, Conrad Enill, yesterday said the budget will be passed in the Senate on Friday.



Sources said yesterday when Cabinet meets for its weekly meeting at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s on Friday, it will consider whether or not, it is going ahead with the legislation to validate the inquiry. The Cabinet meets Friday due to Thursday being a public holiday, Republic Day.



On Sunday, PNM Diego Martin West MP Dr Keith Rowley said Udecott could not act in defiance of the Government, and was behaving like a rogue state enterprise.



In a statement on Monday, Udecott claimed it was not trying to undermine the Uff Inquiry, but simply trying to defend its rights as any other citizen, or company is entitled to do, under the law. Jeremie also disclosed retired Justice of Appeal Anthony Lucky has started his probe into the circumstances which resulted in the inquiry not initially being gazetted.



“He has agreed to work gratis, without a fee. I have no update from him as yet,” Jeremie said. The inquiry was gazetted last week.