Piggott quits EFCL

He made no reference to issues that have been in the public domain recently in which questions have arisen over contracts handed out recently by the EFCL. Piggott backgrounded why he accepted the EFCL chairmanship which he said was on the invitation of Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, almost two years ago. It was in the spirit of national service that he accepted.

Sources indicated however, that it was the Prime Minister himself who asked Piggott to resign. Piggott praised the EFCL board saying he was happy to have had the privilege to collaborate and work closely with a diligent, dedicated and professional team going through many challenges including reputational risks.

Recent reports alleged irregularities at EFCL surrounding the award of certain contracts. Piggott has publicly distanced himself from these allegations. The Company’s IT Manager and ten other contract employees were also sent home recently. Education Minister Garcia, who was in Barbados attending a meeting of the Finance and General Purposes Committee of the University of the West Indies, declined comment saying he had not seen Piggott’s letter which was copied to Rowley and Finance Minister Colm Imbert.

The letter stated in part,”On this, my third effort dating back to November 2016 to demit this office, my resolve and commitment remain strong for this PNM Dr Rowley- led administration. Having contributed significantly over a few decades to support and strengthen the PNM administrations, I step away from this office now in furtherance of the protection of my reputation and family name and to ensure no platform is provided for those who may wish to slow the movement of this great party that is the PNM.” EFCL was established to support the strategic goals and objectives of the Ministry of Education, specifically by providing project management services for the National School Construction Programme; the National School Repair and Maintenance Programme; the co-ordination, furnishing and outfitting programme as well as the supply and delivery of textbooks under the Textbook Rental Programme.

The recent questions surrounding its operations were also raised in Parliament on Wednesday by former minister of education under the People’s Partnership Dr Tim Gopeesingh, prompting comments from Imbert and Attorney General Faris Al Rawi, both of whom revealed that investigations had been launched into alleged corruption at EFCL.