Outraged ‘Skippy’ gave documents to UNC

Giving evidence before commissioners Annestine Sealey, Dr Chandrabhan Sharma and Eustace Hobson yesterday, Thomas, also called "Skippy," told the commission he was paid approximately $1,500 a week when he worked on the project as personal assistant to project manager James Duffy. He said the sum fluctuated because of the various deductions that were made.

When asked about identifying marks on the cheques he received, Thomas said he did not think there was anything on the cheques which indicated that they had been issued by NHIC, adding that he suspected the cheques had come from Duffy. "Apart from his (Duffy’s) own account he had the signatory power to spend on behalf of NHIC," Thomas said.

According to Thomas, he was hired by Duffy and he did not know where the money came from, nor did he care, just as long as he was paid.

Regarding the copies of confidential NHIC documents which Thomas claimed were given to him by NHIC office manager at the Signal Hill site, Kamla Birbal, and which he had given to Opposition Chief Whip Ganga Singh, the Reverend said he was motivated to do so by his "outrage at what can be described as a scandal, ripping off the poor and sick of Tobago."

He said he gave the documents to Singh instead of Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday because he did not want to burden the Opposition Leader.

When asked by attorney Gilbert Petersen SC about the start of work on the Landate project, Thomas said work on that project began in April 2003 and not in September of that same year. Petersen, along with attorneys Reginald Armour SC and Margaret Rose, is representing Housing Minister Dr Keith Rowley.

While Thomas admitted he never saw the deed to Landate, he said he knew it belonged to Rowley and his wife Sharon based on a Town and Country Planning preliminary drawing of the project he was able to get his hands on.

However, he admitted he did not see the final drawing of the project, and therefore could not say if it was in Rowley’s name.

Thomas is being represented by attorney Robin Montano, while Jason Mootoo appears for NHIC.

National Housing Authority (NHA) CEO, Noel Garcia, who also gave evidence yesterday, told the commission that Rowley had no involvement in the procurement process of the Tarouba North project.

The commission is hearing evidence in the inquiry into allegations of impropriety by Rowley as it relates to the construction of the Scarborough Hospital, and the award of State contracts to NHIC and Warner Construction.

Hearing resumes today.