Mark: CEPEP cash funding PNM

Opposition Senator Wade Mark claimed contractors awarded CEPEP jobs had funded the ruling PNM in the last general election. He made the charge yesterday at the Red House during a public sitting of the Joint Select Committee (JSC) on Government ministries and their statutory authorities and State boards. Mark was one of seven MPs of both Houses and of both Government and Opposition, who quizzed officials of the Ministry of Public Utilities and Environment, WASA, and Solid Waste Management Company Ltd (SWMCOL). The hearing examined the administration, exercise of power, and functioning of these bodies. Mark alleged that out of some 450 persons who had applied for CEPEP contracts, those 110 contractors who were eventually selected were supporters of the PNM. In return for being selected, he claimed, they had sponsored paid political advertisements for the PNM in the last election.

Mark also said in contrast to the $600 million in total awarded to these contractors, they in turn had only paid their labourers just $75 per day. Moreso, the CEPEP workers enjoyed no overtime pay, no sick leave, no maternity leave, and no provision in case they were accidentally injured on the job. Mark requested that CEPEP provide the JSC with a copy of the letter of appointment issued to each worker. Newsday sought the reaction of SWMCOL head, Ray Braithwaite, who is responsible for the CEPEP programme. When asked how the JSC session had gone, Braithwaite said, “It’s very good for transparency, excellent. It keeps people’s business in focus. It makes us sharper. There are some things we need to provide. I will be back here on Thursday.” Saying CEPEP had nothing to hide, he added, “We are proud of the product. CEPEP is a work-in-progress. Feedback will be useful for us to enhance the product, for we have no doubt of its usefulness for Trinidad and Tobago.”