Neil’s ties to Water-Taxi service

On Tuesday, the National Infrastructure Development Company (Nidco), in response to statements made in the Senate by Opposition Senator Penny Beckles, revealed that Nidco awarded a contract to Comprehensive Insurance Brokers Limited (CIBL).

“The National Infrastructure Development Company Limited (Nidco), would like to advise the general public that it indeed carries a valid vessel insurance, contrary to allegations raised by the Opposition in the Senate on Tuesday, November 22 last,” the company said in an unsigned press release issued by a company spokeswoman.

“The Water-Taxi Service’s vessels are fully insured in respect of both hull and machinery as well as protection and indemnity insurance, and this coverage has been provided through a local broker, Comprehensive Insurance Brokers Limited.”

Checks by Newsday yesterday revealed that the shareholders of CIBL include Gosine, who owns the majority of its shares, according to company filings. According to the CIBL Annual Return for 2010, dated July 15, 2010 and received at the Companies Registry September 6, 2010, the shareholders of CIBL are listed as: Neil Gosine (800 ordinary shares); businessman Justine Gosine (90 ordinary shares); Darren Gosine (50 ordinary shares), Lindsay Charles (15 ordinary shares), Dr Cecil Gopaul and Elta Gopaul (ten ordinary shares), Joseph Lall (ten ordinary shares), dentist Kenneth La Roache (ten ordinary shares), Joseph Ramlochansingh (five ordinary shares) and Ramcharan Bissessar (five ordinary shares).

The secretary of the company listed, as at September 3, 2010, as Neil Gosine and the directors were listed as: Troy Gosine, Neil Gosine, Callis Nieves and Peter Kanhai.

While some persons in public life, such as Cabinet ministers, by convention leave private interests behind when entering public office, there are no commensurate rules relating to persons serving on state boards.

In a short interview yesterday at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s, where he had just finished attending talks with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and officials of Brazil energy firm PetroBras, Gosine confirmed that he still remains a director of the firm.

“Comprehensive was awarded the contract five months ago,” he said. “It was an open tendering process.” Asked the contract sum, the NP chairman said, “I can’t recall at the top of my head.” He would not comment further.

In a statement to Newsday yesterday, Nidco said the process of awarding the insurance contract was public.

“HMS Trinidad Inc is a company which Nidco has used to provide management support service for its Water-Taxi operations. Nidco is now the operator of the Water-Taxi Service.

The Water-Taxi Service has always had insurance since the service started,” it said. Of CIBL, it added, “The broker was selected after a process of public tendering in the media and CIBL was the successful bidder. The HMS contract has come to an end and Nidco will soon be inviting public tenders for a new contract for management and technical support.”

Transport Minister Devant Maharaj yesterday said the Water-Taxi Service has insurance which covers passengers, in the wake of suggestions in the Senate by Beckles that the taxis have no insurance.