LETTERS LINK PM, HART TO CHURCH

The documents make reference to someone referred to as “the PM” and also show that the Town and Country Planning Division granted final approval for the church on April 16, the same day Manning announced the May 24 date of the General Election.

The documents include:

•a plan which appears to be for the church prepared by the Architectural Design and Research Institute of Tongi University (Group) Co Limited, which builds upon previous designs by locals, lists the client for the project as Udecott, the contractor as SCG International (Trinidad and Tobago) Limited and which describes the project as an “outdoor stage project of Prime Minister House”;

•a letter dated May 2, 2006 and addressed to former Udecott chairman Calder Hart in which the project’s one-time architect Stephen Mendes advises that changes had to be made to the designs for the Lighthouse of Our Lord Jesus Christ church “as a result of recent PM’s requests”. This e-mailed letter, attached to a letter dated February 26, 2010 to Hart, also calls for changes “due to the recent changes called for by the PM”;

•correspondence showing that an undated application – submitted by persons unknown – was made to the Town and Country Planning Division for the project in Mendes’ name without his consent, even after he left the project; and

•a notice from Town and Country Planning disclosing that final approval for the project was granted on April 16, 2010, the very day that Manning, by fax, announced the date of the General Election.

Additionally, the documents appear to paint a picture of a nest of interconnections between persons surrounding the church and throw some light on the role played by the woman known as Reverend Juliana Pena, who is said to be a spiritual adviser to Manning and whose name appears on the church’s headstone.

At a press conference at the Office of the Opposition Leader on Charles Street, Port-of-Spain, Persad-Bissessar yesterday queried whether the description of the project in one plan as an “outdoor stage project” of the Prime Minister’s Residence raises the question of whether funds allocated for the construction of the $250 million Prime Minister’s Residence and Diplomatic Centre, built by Udecott, were used to construct the church, which is said to cost $30 million. She noted that while an outdoor stage was eventually built at the Prime Minister’s Residence and Diplomatic Centre, it was clear in her view that the plans referred to are for the church at Guanapo and not an annex to the Prime Minister’s Residence.

Pointing to plans, drawings and photographs she had taken and had planned to use during her contribution in a motion of no-confidence on April 9 which was thwarted by Manning’s dissolution of Parliament on April 8, Persad-Bissessar said, “I wish to remind all members of the media here and the general public by extension that this is a very serious matter which suggests (misconduct) and the abuse of State funds and lands by (high office) of this country for personal gain.”

“This outdoor stage project was not built, at least not at the St Ann’s location of the Prime Minister’s house. Instead, another outdoor stage building was constructed there by the same Shanghai Construction Group, at a cost of $10 million in 2009.”

“I have here, photographs taken a little over a month ago of the building on the site at Cemetary Street, Heights of Guanapo, Arima, the site of the Church of the Light House of the Lord Jesus Christ,” she said. “I also had both drawings and photographs analysed and it was confirmed that the building described in the plans done by Architectural Design and Research Institute of Tongi University (Group) Co Ltd is exactly the same as the building on the...site of the church.”

A copy of the plan for the “outdoor stage project of Prime Minister House” provided to the media discloses plans for a 500-seat “main sanctuary”, a “portico entry” and several inner rooms, including one identified as a “holy place”. The document has Chinese and English writing and does not appear to have a date.

In his letter to Hart dated February 26, 2010, Mendes explains how he came to be involved in the project.

“I am writing this letter to you for the purposes of clarifying my role and position on this project,” he wrote to Hart, former chairman of Home Mortgage Bank. “Sometime in November 2005, after completing a meeting with you at your Home Mortgage Bank offices, you asked me to meet with a lady who required my assistance. You then introduced me to a Reverend Juliana Pena, following which you departed the meeting leaving me to face an impassioned plea from this lady, to assist her in respect of preparing a design for the church to be situated close to Arima. She was extremely persuasive and after some consideration I agreed to help her prepare a design on a pro-bono basis, as a charitable donation to her church, as she had requested I do.”

In the letter, written two days after a release was issued by Udecott denying involvement in the project, Mendes asks Hart to direct all correspondence sent to him on the project to Pena as Mendes was by that time no longer involved in the project.

The picture painted by the documents are at odds with statements made by Udecott and by Minister of Finance Karen Nunez-Tesheira in Parliament on the project.

In a press release dated February 24, 2010, issued by Udecott’s corporate communications unit, the company said, “Udecott refutes (sic) spurious allegations which were carried in the local media, that the corporation is involved in the construction of a church in the Heights of Guanapo. The church being constructed at the Heights of Guanapo is not a Udecott project.”

The release continued, “there has never been any contract between Udecott and any party, for design, engineering and construction works for the project in question. Udecott also states for the record that it has not received any directive from Government to build or develop a church, nor has it been contracted by any party to carry out design or construction works on a church in the Heights of Guanapo.”

Calling the media reports “mischievous allegations”, Udecott added that it “categorically denies erroneous reports that it hired two local firms to do designs and engineering works related to the construction of the church mentioned.” Contacted yesterday Udecott executive chairman Jearlean John said she could not “assist” on the issue of whether Udecott had any involvement in the project. Asked if she could say conclusively if any personnel from Udecott ever had any involvement with the construction of any building at the Heights of Guanapo, she said, “Not that I know of. I have no information on that. I have seen nothing like that to say that that is so.” Pressed further on whether she ever saw plans, she said, “I will prefer not to answer any more questions. I cannot assist you on that. I was recently appointed to Udecott. I can say no, I have not seen any documents like that.” Asked if in relation to the Prime Minister’s Residence and Diplomatic Centre she ever saw reference to an outdoor stage project, she said, “I have not looked at the plans for the Prime Minister’s house. This building is one that is already constructed.” She once more denied that the church was officially listed as a Udecott project. John replaced Hart after he resigned amidst a scandal which tied his family to a firm awarded $368 million in Udecott contracts. The entire board also later resigned after the findings of the Uff Commission of Inquiry, amidst a police probe of Hart.

In Parliament on March 19, during debate of an Opposition motion on the issue of the church, which had first been raised in Parliament by then Chaguanas West MP Jack Warner, Finance Minister Karen Nunez-Tesheira fell short of a complete denial of Udecott involvement in the project. Instead, she failed to address this issue and denied Udecott’s involvement “in terms of financial arrangements”.

“Clarification was sought as to whether there was a relationship between Udecott, NIPDEC (formerly chaired by Hart) and the Shanghai Construction Company in the construction of the Lighthouse of the Lord Jesus Christ Church in terms of financial arrangements,” she said. “The answer is no.” She noted that Udecott and Nipdec had returned negative answers to the query and that the permanent secretary of her ministry was written. “The Ministry of Finance, Budget Division has never released resources to meet any expenditure related to the construction of the church or facility.” Attorney General John Jeremie, at a press conference on March 11, said he did not “see the need” to investigate the project.

In Parliament on February 27, Manning, in a 53-minute speech which was billed as being on the topic of “church and state relations”, failed to deny links to the church. Instead, he said, “I want to point out from the very onset that the church is not being built with State funds, that the building constructed does not belong to the Prime Minister, that the church is owned by the Lighthouse of the Lord Jesus Christ, that neither the Prime Minister nor any member of the Government gave any instruction to Udecott regarding the construction of the church.”

He alleged discrimination of the Full Gospel faith. Yesterday, Persad-Bissessar said that is not her aim in raising the Guanapo church issue.

“I remain now and always committed to the freedom of speech, freedom of worship, of all my brethren, in every church, mosque, temple or home. I am willing to defend that freedom with my life,” she said. She said she has written the Acting Commissioner of Police James Philbert, Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard and the Integrity Commission calling for probes into the project and the Prime Minister.2nd May 2006

Mr. Calder Hart

The Chairman

UdeCott

c/o The Home Mortgage Bank

Eric Williams Finance Building

Independence Square

PORT OF SPAIN

Dear Sir:

RE: CHURCH - LIGHTHOUSE OF JESUS CHRIST

I now enclose some the architectural/engineering drawings that have been prepared to date. I should point out:

1.The structural drawings developed to date are not in accordance with the recent changes made to the architectural drawings as a result of recent PM’s requests. Additionally, they need to be developed in far greater detail.

2.Additionally the consultants need to develop and finalize their general arrangement drawings due to the recent changes called for by the PM, including those relating to the residential component appended to the Church.

3.You must also secure the services of a M&E engineer. I would like you in this regard to make a personal request to ENCO, (Cavallo Sebastien), as you have done with Tony Farrell in the past.

I cannot see the construction of the job starting within the next 2-3 months, as all the engineering (both structural and M&E) drawings must be completed prior to start of construction. An early start would assume that building approvals will be waived.

Land, topo and soil surveys must also be carried out.

Finally, my recommendation is that once the general arrangement architectural and engineering drawings have been completed, a contract should be let to a general contractor on a turnkey or design build basis. This should help to speed up the completion of construction.

I can talk to you further on this matter.

DESIGN COLLABORATIVE ASSOCIATES LTD

Stephen Mendes

TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING DIVISION

MINISTRY OF PLANNING HOUSING AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Level 2 Tunapuna Administrative Complex, Eastern Main Road, Tunapuna

Phone: 663-2726

Date: 10th February 2010

REF: T3G: 1959/2009

Light House of the Lord Jesus Christ

c/o Stephen Mendez

1A-6A Ellerslie Plaza,

Maraval

Dear Sir,

In connection with your application for Planning Permission to develop land at Cemetery Road, Guanapo, Arima, namely the erection of a building for institutional purposes, on a site stated to be 1.5580ha in area, dated 23.12.2009 and submitted 29.12.2009, and since amended on 27.01.2010 certain defects have been identified in the documents submitted, as a result of which the processing of your application cannot be completed.

Your application is therefore returned to you undetermined, so that these defects can be rectified.

DEFECTS/OMISSIONS

1. Your application is unclear.

The information submitted on your application form and survey drawings, vary from that stated in the Cabinet Minute No. 2542 of September 30, 2005, relevant to the proposed site.

2. Your application is incomplete.

(I) The site of the proposed development is State Lands. You are required to provide a copy of the letter of agreement from the Commissioner of State Lands in respect of the lease of a parcel of State land comprising 0.3 hectare know as Lot 104, Heights of Guanapo, Arima.

(ii) You are required to provide a complete, scaled site plan showing the position of the proposed building(s) on the land and the distances from the face of the external walls of the building(s) or other means of structural support at ground level to all site boundaries.

(iii) You are required to provide a schedule of accommodation showing the names and areas (sizes) of the rooms within the building(s).

T3G: 1959/2009

2

If you wish to discuss any of these matters you may call at the above address on any Wednesday between 8.30 a.m. and 3.30 p.m. or at some pre-arranged time. You may ask to see Mr. A. Kirk.

Please bring this document with you.

Yours faithfully

for Director

Town and Country Planning Division

AK/sr/fr

TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING DIVISION

Level 2 Tunapuna Administrative Complex, Eastern Main Road, Tunapuna

Phone: 663-2726

Date: 19th February 2010

REF: T3G: 1959/2009

Light House of the Lord Jesus Christ

c/o Stephen Mendez

1A-6A Ellerslie Plaza,

Maraval

Dear Sir,

RE: Collection of Returned Plans - T3G 1959/09.

Further to our telephone conversation on 11/02/2010 regarding the subject application and for which you were to make arrangements for the collection of copies of plans submitted; I am to advise that the Division’s response is herewith enclosed.

It is customary when an application is returned undetermined that the copies of the plans are returned to the applicant in the mail. However, given the size of the plans the Division is unable to do so in this instance. You are again kindly requested to collect the plans at the above- mentioned address.

Yours Faithfully,

Ancil Kirk

Stephen Mendes

No. 7 Marine Villas

Westmoorings

26th February 2010

PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL

Mr. Calder Hart

C/o UdeCott

38-40 Sackville Street

PORT OF SPAIN

Dear Calder,

Re: Church at Guanapo

I am writing this letter to you for the purposes of clarifying my role and position on this project.

Sometime in November 2005, after completing a meeting with you at your Home Mortgage Bank offices, you asked me to meet with a lady who required my assistance. You then introduced me to a Reverend Juliana Pena, following which you departed the meeting leaving me to face an impassioned plea from this lady, to assist her in respect of preparing a design for a Church to situated on a site close to Arima. She was extremely persuasive and after some consideration I agreed to help her prepare a design on a pro-bona basis, as a charitable donation to her church, as she had requested I do.

As I do not provide structural nor mechanical and electrical services, I recommended that these services would need to be provided by other firms. In this context, you arranged with CEP to provide their services and you suggested I contact ENCO, which I did. Unfortunately, for reasons unknown to me, the Structural Engineer was later not prepared to fully complete his drawings and indeed I too did not have sufficient time to prepare all the Construction documents due to my other work commitments.

I had previously recommended to you by email dated 2nd May, 2006 to which was attached a letter of the same date (see copy enclosed) that in the circumstances, where General Arrangement or Preliminary Drawings were available, a Contractor would need to be engaged on a “turn key” or “Design/Build” basis. In a further meeting I reiterated this, prior to your arranging for a Contractor to be given the drawings, pointing out that the Contractor would be required to complete the Structural drawings in particular, as I had little or no influence over the Structural Engineer who was only prepared to forward “Preliminary” drawings. It was on this basis that I recommended that a construction contract be awarded. Our preliminary drawings were only therefore submitted for the guidance of a “Design/Build” Contractor who would then assume the responsibility of both the Design and the Construction .

On handing over the drawings my involvement therefore came to an end, particularly as I had been unable to get in touch with the Reverend Pena. At that stage I had provided all the help that I could on a pro-bono basis.

Later, in early February 2010, I received a telephone call from an Officer at the Town and Country Planning Division (TCPD) requesting some information in respect of an application which I myself had not submitted to them and after contacting your office, who forwarded this information to me, I passed this and some additional information they required on them.

Subsequent to this, on the 22nd February 2010, I received a letter from the TCDP indicating that the application submitted to them was being returned ‘undetermined’ and that copies of the plans would need to be collected by the Applicant.

Bearing in mind that I am not the Applicant, and the information TCDP require relates substantially to matters which I am unable to answer, I am forwarding this to you to either answer their queries or alternatively forward same to the Reverend Pena.

Please contact me if you have any queries.

Yours sincerely

Stephen Mendes

March 18, 2010

Town & Country Planning Division

Level 2,

Tunapuna Government Complex

Eastern Main

TUNAPUNA

Attention: Mr. Ancil Kirk. Senior Planner

Dear Sir:

RE: YOUR REF. T3G: 1959/2009

I am in receipt of your letter dated 19th February 2010 addressed to the Light House of the Lord Jesus Christ, c/o Stephen Mendes enclosing an undetermined application of the same date and address.

Soon after receiving the above, I also received a telephone call from the Director of the Town & Country Planning Division, in which I explained to her that I am not the applicant or agent in respect of this application, nor any longer the consultant on this project.

Please in future direct all enquiries to the applicant or owner.

Yours faithfully

Stephen Mendes

cc: Cheryl Ann Haynes - Director, TCPD