Search Rowley’s house too

THE OPPOSITION UNC yesterday demanded that the police search the premises of Housing Minister Dr Keith Rowley, Warner Construction and NH International (Caribbean) Limited (NHIC) as they investigate the alleged siphoning of government material from the Scarborough Regional Hospital Project to a private sector development project in Mason Hall, Tobago which is owned by Rowley.

In a statement, the UNC expressed the hope that the police would be quick in searching the premises of these persons “as they did with former UNC Works Minister Carlos John.” John’s Maraval home was searched last week by officers from the Anti-Corruption Bureau and they seized documents relating to a probe into a joint London bank account of Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday and his wife Oma. Sources said Canadian forensic accountant Bob Lindquist will examine the documents this week. During Thursday’s Budget debate in Parliament, Opposition Chief Whip Ganga Singh produced documents which he alleged proved that material and labour were being siphoned from the hospital to the Land-Date development project owned by Rowley.  Dr Rowley said his family started a development project in Mason Hall in 2003 but Warner was the project’s main contractor and Warner had subcontracted part of the project to NHIC. Rowley said he had no relationship with NHIC and was innocent of all charges against him.

NHIC chairman Emile Elias claimed the documents produced by Singh in Parliament were stolen from the company’s Scarborough office. Elias demanded their return and that Singh identify the person who gave him the documents. Prime Minister Patrick Manning said a thorough investigation will be conducted into this matter and a report will be laid in Parliament. Attorney General John Jeremie met separately with Manning and Rowley during Friday’s sitting of the House of Representatives. Sources said the Prime Minister is considering appointing a one-man inquiry to investigate the charges against Rowley.

The UNC also queried the status of the police investigation into the recent tea room incident between Rowley and Fyzabad MP Chandresh Sharma that “is still pending.” The Opposition expressed concern that “after six weeks no charges have been laid against Dr Rowley.” The UNC also claimed that a report on that investigation is currently on the desk of a senior police officer and has not been forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions. “The police must act swiftly in investigating the matter in order to avoid the accusation that they are in the back-pockets of the PNM Government,” the Opposition said. The UNC called on Police Commissioner Trevor Paul to say what is the status of this investigation.  The party added: “We note the speed with which police persecute matters involving the UNC but drag their feet in matters involving the PNM.”