Sunday, October 4 2009

Chaguanas West MP Jack Warner is calling for the Prime Minister to put a stop to the games that are being played by the Government and the Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (Udecott).

In a press release yesterday, Warner accused Government and Udecott of playing games regarding accountability and transparency in the handling of billions of dollars by the state company.

Warner said the issues pertaining to corruption, misconduct in office and other malfeasance must be ventilated.

“It is clear from the conduct of the various parties that the Government and certain officials of Udecott are either collaborating or working separately to deny public accountability and transparency, to cover up misdealing and to allow those involved in corruption to escape the law of my country,” he said.

Warner said on one hand Government insists that it is in control of Udecott but on the other hand it conveniently claims to be ignorant of certain activities of the company and its officials.

“This is a most scandalous state of affairs and increases the suspicion and the need for a proper forensic probe into Udecott,” Warner said.

He believes the Prime Minister, Attorney General, Commissioner of Police, Director of Public Prosecutions and all other public officials charged with protecting the public’s interest must do their duty and take immediate steps to ensure that justice and the law prevails in this matter.

Warner said the Prime Minister has the power to fire the board of Udecott if he believes it is acting contrary to the policy and will of Government regarding the conduct of the Uff probe and with regard to the issue of contracts and corruption.

“He has the power to install a new board with a mandate to cooperate fully with the Commission of Inquiry and to act right in all its affairs. The time has come therefore for my country to stop crying and for the Prime Minister to exercise this power in the public’s interest and in the pursuit of accountability and justice,” he said.