Mark calls for Fraud Squad probe at Caroni (1975) Ltd

Speaking in the Budget debate in the Senate, Mark said there was rampant corruption at the State company. Both the former corporate security and now president of the Employers Consultative Association, as well as John Williams could provide the Fraud Squad with the necessary assistance, he said.

Mark called for a "thorough forensic audit" to be conducted by a reputable auditing firm to investigate the following activities:

1) the handing over of five executive bungalows to John Williams at the monthly rental of $15,000 each. To date no rent had been paid to Caroni.

2) miles of steel rail-tracks and wheels involving millions of dollars were sold as scrap iron by Williams. No money has been accounted for to date on the sale of these rail tracks.

3) Several contracts were given without a tender, including the repair of the $2 million road. Many of these contracts were given to Williams.

4) Gilbert Park, comprising some 15 acres of land, including a cricket ground, a lawn tennis court, a carpark and several practising grounds, were given to one John Williams at no cost. A prime piece of real estate comprising of some five acres, which is located at the entrance to Point Lisas, has been given to John Williams for free.

5) A high-ranking magistrate is reported to have received several dozens of tractors and cranes without any cost being incurred.

6) The ECA was given a contract valued at several millions of dollars to train retrenched Caroni workers without a tender. "Since when did ECA become a qualified agency for training workers?" Mark asked.

Mark said there was a need for a Commission of Inquiry into the closure of Caroni and an analysis of the true role of the Sugar Manufacturing Company Ltd of TT.

"In the light of the unprecedented levels of PNM-driven corruption," Mark called for the swift ratification and enforcement of the UN Convention against Corruption as well as a strict implementation of "Conflict of Interest" legislation by the Integrity Commission. "The world now perceives this country as one of the most corrupt countries under the watch of the father of spiritual and moral values," he said.

Referring to the allegations of corruption against Franklin Khan and Eric Williams, Mark accused the Integrity Commission of dragging its feet on these serious matters. He wondered if the police investigation into these matters was deliberately being frustrated by the National Security Minister.

He also wondered about the the Report of the Commission of Inquiry into the Scarborough Hospital. He asked, "Are we witnessing another cover-up by the Prime Minister?"