Ganga: PNM corruption if no WASA charges

OPPOSITION Chief Whip Ganga Singh said if Canadian forensic investigator Bob Lindquist does not find any corruption at WASA it would reveal a political cover-up by the ruling People’s National Movement (PNM). Lindquist has less than two weeks to complete his investigations.

Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday said the UNC was very concerned about threats made against Singh by former PNM MP, Dr Joe Laquis, and the party will write Police Commissioner Hilton Guy asking for security for Singh. Addressing a news conference at the Oppisition Leader’s Charles Street office, Singh did not repeat charges he made in Parliament on Tuesday concerning WASA and an alleged overpayment of $29 million to Waterfarms (Trinidad) Limited.

The allegations made in the House were made under parliamentary privilege. Had they been repeated yesterday, Singh could have opened himself to slander charges. However Singh vowed not to be cowed into silence by Laquis’ threats to prevent him from speaking publicly in the East/West Corridor. “No threat will prevent me from doing my duty as an MP,” Singh declared. According to Singh, the matter before Lindquist was very simple. “Monies have been paid out by a State agency. It is very simple for Mr Lindquist to trace those monies that have been paid out, and to where those monies went, who were the beneficiaries. “I expect Mr Lindquist’s report to be a reflection of his professional integrity, and sometime in the aftermath of charges being brought, these matters would have a public hearing.”

Singh said he was available to meet with Lindquist and hoped to do so next week, but there has been no word from Attorney-General Glenda Morean-Phillip when that would happen. Singh added that he would hold Prime Minister Patrick Manning to his word that Lindquist’s WASA probe would be thorough, transparent and those culpable would be brought to justice. He also stated there was no difference between Laquis’ threat and threats made by Couva South MP Kelvin Ramnath against the safety of Government Ministers in Central Trinidad.
Singh also touched on a report on the Agricultural Development Bank which he claimed was completed two months ago, but is yet to come before Parliament. He also claimed attempts have been made since 1996 to destroy incriminating evidence at WASA. Panday staunchly defended Singh’s actions, saying: “We believe parliamentarians have the duty to bring to the attention of the Government, allegations of wrongdoing. That is why statements in Parliament are protected by absolute privilege.” He said that this power was used previously by the PNM against his government.