Agard, Laquis (M) slam Ganga’s corruption claims

WATER and Sewerage Authority (WASA) vice-chairman Rawlingson Agard and attorney Mark Laquis yesterday slammed Opposition Chief Whip Ganga Singh for alleging that they, together with former Diego Martin Central MP Dr Joe Laquis, were behind a reported $29 million overpayment to Waterfarms (Trinidad) Limited by WASA. Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, Singh named Laquis (J), Laquis (M) and Agard as behind the reported overpayment to Waterfarms and declared that he was prepared to turn over whatever information he had on the matter to Canadian forensic investigator Bob Lindquist. Attorney-General Glenda Morean-Phillip asked Singh if he would like to make an arrangement to meet Lindquist, but the former UNC Public Utilities Minister was non-committal.

Both men declared there was no foundation to Singh’s allegations. Agard challenged Singh to repeat his allegations outside of Parliament and face any consequences that follow. “It was unfortunate that members of Parliament continue to use the protection of the Parliament to malign the good name of citizens who seek only to serve the best interest of Trinidad and Tobago,” he said. Mark Laquis said he was not the trustee of a $17 million account allegedly opened with monies from the reported Waterfarms payment. The attorney invited the Opposition Chief Whip “to make available to the relevant authorities any and all information he (Singh) may have regarding this matter”, Laquis said. “If such information does not exist, or is not brought forward, then I trust Mr Singh will take the honourable course of action and retract the statements he has made against my character.” He added: “I wish to declare that this and other statements made by Mr Singh as they relate to me and this matter are absolutely false.”