By Clint Chan Tack Friday, October 9 2009

click on pic to zoom in

INCOMPLETE: A Chinese construction worker looks at the exposed steel structure of the incomplete multi-million dollar San Fernando Performing Arts Aca...

In a statement, the Chamber said it observed with “amazement and consternation, the unfolding saga of the Uff Commission of Inquiry and its report.”

The Chamber supported the Government’s action in bringing the Validation Bill to Parliament (to ensure the commission’s work is protected) and Attorney General John Jeremie’s public statements about ensuring the inquiry completes its work. However the Chamber expressed its regret over a ruling by the High Court which prevents the commission from holding further sittings or publishing any report until a hearing takes place in February.



“It now appears that after considerable taxpayer resources have been ploughed into financing the work of the commission, and contrary to the stated intent of the Government, a wholly owned state enterprise (Udecott) has effectively frustrated the completion of the considerable work of the commission at this critical time, when the commission’s report is to be delivered,” the Chamber said. Describing the current state of affairs as “an affront to the nation and totally unacceptable,” the Chamber called upon Government to take swift and effective action “to resolve this unfortunate impasse.”



“It is imperative that the work of the commission be completed, that it be allowed to deliver its report in a timely manner and that the public’s right to this information now be unfettered,” the Chamber said. Adding that any further course of action outlined by the commission’s report must be allowed to take place expeditiously, the Chamber said this was necessary “in the interest of full transparency and good governance, principles which this Government espouses.”



The Validation Bill will be laid in the House of Representatives today but will not be debated. Attorneys for Udecott and the inquiry are to work out new terms for the consent order which would make way for sittings to resume ahead of the February court hearing of a judicial review application filed by Udecott alleging bias. On Monday, Jeremie instructed Udecott chairman Calder Hart to return to court to withdraw the consent order which stopped the inquiry. Government officials were tight-lipped yesterday about whether or not Prime Minister Patrick Manning would be making any statement in the House about the status of the inquiry.