TT Regiment drive-off with Caroni 1975 Ltd trucks

CARONI (1975) Limited’s restructuring exercise, is taking on a dramatic turn with the transfer of several of its vehicles to the Trinidad and Tobago Regiment.

On August, 17, the TT Regiment swooped down on Caroni and took possession of 13 Land Rovers and Wheel Tractors. Eighteen similar type vehicles were taken from the Ste Madeleine Sugar Factory. The 13 heavy duty vehicles were taken from Caroni’s Transport and Field Engineering Department, at Woodford Lodge, Chaguanas. The transfer has sparked a furore among ex-sugar workers, top management of Caroni’s two successor companies, as well as stakeholders who have Caroni pinned on a $10 million High Court injunction. Caroni has also extended to W Connection, a football academy, a maintenance contract of its Gilbert Park Recreation Ground and Club at California. The vehicles were driven by soldiers to Camp Cumuto, Wallerfield. Capt Weekes has been placed in charge of the vehicles. An inventory of the vehicles lodged at Brechin Castle listed the vehicles and names of the soldiers. The soldiers arrived at 9.28 am and left with the vehicles at 12.17 pm, on August 17.

Caroni’s ex-Chief Executive Officer, Chandra Bobart who is one of the technocrats overseeing the restructuring process, confirmed the transfer of the vehicles to the army. But Bobart said he was not privy to any documentation authorising the transfer nor could he explain who sanctioned it. “I have no comment to make. Soon I will be out of here,” Bobart told Sunday Newsday. Former Agricultural Manager, Wayne Innis, said, “I’ve heard of the army moving out vehicles. However, I have nothing concrete.” Innis said Caroni has over $30 million worth in mobile equipment, but the manager could not say by what means the vehicles were made available to the army. Caroni’s assets are currently being held in the successor companies — Sugar Manufacturing Company Ltd and the Estate Management and Business Development Company, under the restructuring programme. The programme saw all of the company’s 9,000 employees sent home on a $800 million VSEP package. The package includes availability of lands to ex-sugar workers. Under the programme, the companies will produce a reduced 80,000 tonnes of sugar with cane supplied only by farmers. Agreement was reached in principle for farmers to be given the first option to purchase Caroni’s tractors and Land Rovers given their increased cane production.

On Friday attorney Dave Persad issued a letter to Caroni threatening to take out contempt proceedings in the High Court for alleged violation of a $10 million injunction. The letter, dated August 28, addressed to attorney Devish Maharaj stated: “Notwithstanding the Orders of Madam Justice Amrika Tiwary-Reddy on August 11, and Madam Justice Maureen Rajnauth-Lee, your clients have been parting with possession of its real and personal property. That motor vehicles, including heavy equipment, farm tractors, etc, have been removed from locations outside your client’s premises and control.” Persad stated that he acted on behalf of Caroni (Brechin Castle) Credit Union Co-operative Society Ltd and they consider the action as contempt of the orders of the court. Persad is seeking a return of the vehicles back to Caroni’s compound, within seven days of the letter (which was dated August 28).