Nipdec GM: Rowley had no role in procurement process of Tobago Hospital

According to the evidence of Nipdec’s general manager, Margaret Thompson, neither Rowley nor any member of staff in the Planning Ministry had any involvement in the process. She said Nipdec was governed by the rules and procedures of the process as set out by the Inter-America Development Bank (IDB).

Thompson was being cross-examined by attorney for Rowley, Margaret Rose, during yesterday’s sitting of the Commission of Inquiry into allegations of impropriety by the minister as they relate to the construction of the Scarborough Hospital and the award of State contracts to NHIC and Warner Construction.

The inquiry is being heard by retired judge Annestine Sealey, Dr Chandrabhan Sharma and Eustace Hobson.

Thompson had been recalled to appear before the commission to provide information she had been uncertain of when she gave evidence last week. At the end of her evidence, some of the questions still remained unanswered and it was agreed that Thompson would submit the outstanding information in writing and would be recalled only if necessary. She will sign and certify the written information. At the start of yesterday’s sitting, the commission ordered that the evidence of witness Siubert Gilbert be struck from the record. Attorney for the Housing Minister, Reginald Armour SC, had on Friday submitted that Gilbert, an investigation officer under the Integrity Commission, had committed an illegal act by giving evidence at the Commission of Inquiry.

He had argued that the information disclosed by Gilbert when he gave evidence on July 13 should have been treated with confidentiality, since it had been information that was disclosed to the Integrity Commission. He had then recommended that Gilbert’s evidence be expunged.

Udecott CEO, Winston Agard, was also recalled to give evidence yesterday. When asked about what appeared to be an inconsistency between the number of subcontractors mentioned on the proposal of the company awarded the contract, and the actual number now working on the project, Agard said it was not necessary to approve all the subcontractors at the initial stage. They were approved as the work progressed, he said.

Appearing for the commission are attorneys Trevor Lee SC, Andre des Vignes and Morris Valere.