Manning orders Inquiry into NH contracts

Prime Minister Patrick Manning flipped-flopped again, returning in the process, to his original plan to have a Commission of Inquiry. But while the investigation into Keith Rowley remains with the Integrity Comission, the Commission of Inquiry will examine all the contracts awarded by the State to NH International and Warner Construction — the two companies involved in the Keith Rowley affair — since the PNM came to Government. The announcement was made at a news conference at Whitehall following yesterday’s meeting of the Cabinet. That meeting discussed whether or not Rowley should step down pending the investigations. But the Prime Minister said it was his view that there was no justification for Rowley’s resignation as a minister of Government while the investigations were taking  place. Manning reminded reporters that he had been investigated by the Integrity Commission earlier this year in respect of a Repsol-sponsored trip. Rowley told Newsday he welcomed the investigation because “it was the only way to save the country from the exercise by mischief coming from other quarters.” 

NHIC boss Emile Elias said he was “absolutely delighted” while Allan Warner said he was “looking forward to it.” The Prime Minister’s third major announcement in as many days on the issue, was his third attempt to accede to the requests of the Opposition. There are nine contracts involved. NH International was awarded the contracts for the Customs and Excise Building ($100 million); Tarouba Housing Project ($80 million); San Fernando Hospital ($33 million); Scarborough ($134 million); Siparia Administrative Complex ($19 million).  Most of these contracts were not done while Rowley was the line minister. Warner Construction has been granted three contracts by the State acting through the Tobago House of Assembly — the Mason Hall School ($9 million); Blenheim Housing Development ($9 million) and the Scarborough Library ($24 million). It also has a $2 million contract to renovate VMCOTT and a road-paving maintenance contract. Warner Construction is the contractor in the Mason Hall Development owned by the Rowley family, but that contract will not form part of the probe, as was the case with the initial Commission of Inquiry announced on Tuesday. 

Manning suggested this would be the last attempt to satisfy the Opposition, saying he knew that nothing would appease it. He recalled that Siparia MP Kamla Persad-Bissessar had interrupted his Budget wind-up in Parliament when he announced Government had decided to refer the Rowley matter to the Integrity Commission. “She got up and, speaking on behalf of the Opposition stated, that she was very pleased  that the Government had listened, and had chosen to go in the direction that they (UNC) thought was best.” Manning noted, however, that the very next day, Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday held a news conference seeking to discredit the decision Government had taken, “on their exhortation,” suggesting instead that it go to a Commission of Inquiry. This was precisely what Government had done initially, but was criticised by the Opposition, he said. “We understand the strategy very well. Whatever course of action we take, they are going to seek to move the goalpost. As we meet their requirement they will seek to set a new requirement which they think we cannot meet. The objective is to disrupt the smooth operation of the Government,” he said.

Manning said Government’s intention was to “maintain transparency and to satisfy the population of the rectitude of our own cause and of the fact that we are not prepared to cover-up. We are here to investigate honestly and whatever the results of the investigation, we will make public,” he said. Manning said the Opposition was merely trying to divert attention away from their own difficulties, occasioned by a lack of integrity on their part, seeking to pin the label of corruption instead on the Government. Speaking to Newsday, Rowley echoed the sentiments of the Prime Minister. “It is clear to me that the Opposition has been trying to tarnish my image and have been trying to associate me with contracts and contractors,” he said. He said he trusted the investigation could be done with dispatch. Contractor Warner said he welcomed the inquiry because “it would put all the rumours to rest.”

Elias said the inquiry “would put to rest once and for all, the spurious charges being made against NHIC as a result of the Opposition continuing its attempt to victimise me for what I did at the Deyalsingh Commission of Inquiry,” he said. He added the investigation would confirm the integrity of the evaluation and award process in all the contracts, including the Scarborough Hospital Project and show up the difference between what happened under this administration and what occurred under the last in the award of contracts. “It would show them (the UNC) up,” he said. Yesterday’s events were the latest since allegations that State materials were syphoned from the Scarborough Hospital Development Project to a private development owned by Rowley. The allegations were made by Opposition MP Ganga Singh in  Parliament. Manning said Government would formalise the arrangements, including who will be the Commissioner or Commissioners  when the Attorney General returns to the country next week.