Three give evidence at Piarco inquiry

The witnesses were brought in by the prosecution, which called on its first witness, Chartered Accountant Colin Soo Ping Chow, of Fairways, Maraval, to take the stand. At the last hearing, Soo Ping Chow was in the middle of being cross-examined by defence attorney Senior Counsel Frank Solomon.

However, when asked by Chief Magistrate Sherman Mc Nicolls to resume his cross-examination, Solomon said he would rather have his cross-examination reserved until he had recollection of his last line of questioning.

However, Mc Nicolls questioned if the case was expected to resume, since Solomon did not want to continue his cross-examination.

"I might very well be in error, but I intend to reserve and your worship does not have any other option. You cannot deny me or cause me to cross-examine if I am not prepared," said Solomon.

Mc Nicolls argued that the allocation of fault was important, since he believed the inquiry had been going on forever.

Solomon responded, "What is non-negotiable is that I should be caused to ask questions when I have none."

Soo Ping Chow was led in evidence by attorney Gillian Lucky, and was shown certain documents which he was asked to identify. Cross-examination was reserved by the defence.

The second witness on the stand was Richard Downey, of Tobago Avenue, Federation Park, a general manager of Business Improvement and Operations at RBTT.

Downey, an employee of RBTT for the past 17 years, was examined by prosecution attorney Gilbert Peterson SC and was cross-examined by Solomon.

The third witness to be examined by Peterson was Citibank representative Maureen Mills-Serrette, of Benjamin Street, Diego Martin. There was no cross-examination by the defence.

Eight persons and three companies are charged with a total of 21 offences relating to the new terminal development project at Piarco Airport.

They are former government ministers Brian Kuei Tung and Russel Huggins; CEO of Northern Con-struction Ltd (NCL) Ish Galbaransingh; CEO of Maritime General Insurance Company John Henry Smith; Maritime Group of Companies chairman Steve Ferguson; company secretary Barbara Gomes; businesswoman Renee Pierre, and Fidelity Insurance and Leasing Company Ltd.

Hearing resumes tomorrow.