Nyree Alfonso: Claims totally erroneous

Alfonso said that as a maritime lawyer, with the experience of selling over 20 vessels including oil-tankers, she was approached by the Port Authority and asked to use her extensive network of brokers, to help procure a vessel to replace the Warrior Spirit.Alfonso said she never underwent any tender process.

“I was asked to use my expertise.

Now I wish I had said ‘no’. But I am a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago and thought that I should be using my expertise (to the benefit of the nation.” Alfonso said that within a week, she sourced five or six vessels for the authority to choose one from.

Asked if she charged a broker’s commission and if so, was this a conflict of interest as at the time she was attorney for the Port Authority, Alfonso said she did not charge a commission but charged for her time as a lawyer, “for the hours and hours” spent sourcing vessels.

“I don’t see how a conflict of interest could arise. I am asked by a client to help them. I didn’t participate in the tender nor in the evaluation.

I had no power to select or choose,” she insisted.

Asked about claims by Government that the firm Intercontinental, had described her as their broker, Alfonso said, “If Mr Powell (of Intercontinental) said so, he never said that to me.” Alfonso sent Newsday a copy of part of her letter, dated June 3, 2014, to the Port Authority, saying she had spent much time and energy to locate the Super Fast Galicia.

The letter said that the authority deemed the Galicia acceptable and said it would launch a limited tender request to invite bidders to tender suitable vessels. In the letter, Alfonso said she advised the Galicia’s owners and partners to work with a local agent to participate in the tender.