Inquiry picks up pace

THE Commission of Inquiry into the Piarco Airport Project is expected to pick up pace this week following two uneventful sittings last week at which no evidence was taken.

The probe its 105th sitting today and former Airports Authority Chairman Tyrone Gopee is expected to reappear. Gopee has to question witnesses who have implicated him in the project. He is represented by attorney Nyree Alfonso. Last week Gopee was in the process of hiring another attorney, Fyard Hosein. On Tuesday former Transport Minister Jearlean John is listed to return to be cross examined by attorneys for Peter Cateau, the Ministry of Works and Transport client representative on the project. He is represented by attorney Keith Scotland leading Dawn Mohan.  Also to reappear on that day is Dennis John, former Security Manager at the Airports Authority. He is represented by attorney Sean Cazabon who is to question at least three persons who implicated John.

On Wednesday, former Finance Minister Brian Kuei Tung is expected to appear with his attorney Reginald Armour. Kuei Tung failed to show up last Wednesday when he was summoned and was scolded by Commission Chairman Clinton Bernard. On that occasion Armour sought an adjournment saying he did not have time to read the transcripts and to receive instructions from Kuei Tung. Also expected to appear this week is Edward Bayley, the former Chairman of NIPDEC. He is represented by attorney Sonny Maharaj, SC leading Stewart Young. Attorneys for the Commission are Theodore Guerra, SC, Margaret Rose and Clive and Justin Phelps. The other Commissioners are Victor Hart, Marie Ange Knights, Keith Sirju and Peter Bynoe.