Evidence given in camera against former Chairman was wrong

Former Corpor-ate Secretary of National Insurance Property Development Company (NIPDEC) Glen Lezama admitted yesterday that certain evidence which he had given in camera on September 11 last year before the commission was wrong.

Lezama claimed while giving evidence in camera that Edward Bayley, the former Chairman of NIPDEC, had manipulated the tendering process while he was Chairman of NIPDEC. uring cross examination by Attorney Sonny Maharaj SC, who is appearing on behalf of the former Chairman at yesterday’s hearing of the Commission of Inq-uiry into the Piarco Airport Development Project, Lezama was asked about certain statements he made about Bayley, which Maharaj said purported to destroy his client’s reputation.

In his evidence of September 11, Lez-ama claimed that the decision by Bayley to make amendments at a board meeting was not protocol. He also questioned the appointment of David Hardy by Bayley. uestioned by Mah-araj, who referred to the minutes of a board meeting and the appointment of Hardy to handle all matters relating to the new airport, Lezama admitted that Hardy was never appointed by Bayley but by the board based on a recommendation from Bayley. e added that he could not remember if Bayley was even present when the board appointed Hardy to the post. e said that Bayley was guilty of no wrongdoing while he was chairman of NIPDEC.

Lezama also cla-imed that Bayley was not guilty of any wrongdoing in introducing the clause on the contract 2.1.3 between NIPDEC and the government and said that the clause was needed to give NIPDEC the authority to negotiate with Northern Yorke Con-sortium. Hearing resumes on Monday. n Wednesday, Lezama will be cross-examined by The-odore Guerra who is representing the Commission and Christopher Hamel-Smith who is representing NIPDEC. ormer General Manager of NIPDEC Noel Garcia will also be called to give evidence next week.