By Sandra Chouthi

Special to Indo Caribbean World
Port-of-Spain – Some politicians learn the hard way that a week is a long time in politics. So it turned out for Mary King, the People's Partnership Minister of Planning, Economic and Social Restructuring and Gender Affairs.
On May 8, the Sunday Express published as an exclusive story following an investigation that King had failed to declare the interest of herself and her family in the company, Ixanos Ltd. The company had been awarded a contract to build a website for her ministry. The work was valued at (TT) $100,000.
Ironically, King is also former chairperson of the Trinidad and Tobago Transparency Institute.
The next day following the publication of the story Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar met with President Maxwell. Following this meeting, King's Cabinet portfolio and senatorship were revoked.
Persad-Bissessar appointed King's successor on May 10, with the ministry handed to Bhoendradatt Tewarie. Up to the time of his appointment Tewarie was serving as pro-vice chancellor for Planning and Development and director of the Institute of Critical Thinking.
Responding on May 11 to King's departure, Persad-Bissessar said: "It (the revocation of King's appointments) is not about making an example. Giving what has transpired, it is what is the right thing to do."
The PP government entered office just under a year ago championing accountability and vowing to deal swiftly with those who acted improperly in public office.
Immediately following the exposé by the Express, the prime minister mandated Attorney General Anand Ramlogan to investigate the claims that had been made against King.
Following this, Persad-Bissessar told the media: "We were waiting on the AG's report. New information has come to light since the documents were presented to us and, on the basis of that new information I have taken the decision (to revoke King's appointment)." She added: "I am very disappointed. It is a very sad day for us, but it has to be done."
On May 11, King sent a letter to the Integrity Commission asking that it conduct an independent investigation into her alleged role in the award of the contract to Ixanos.
The Integrity Commission is also doing its own investigations into the Ixanos contract.
Attorney General Anand Ramlogan, who said King breached the Integrity Act, said a case had been made out to warrant referral to the Integrity Commission.
King is also alleged to have "participated" in the selection process and placed her secretary on the evaluation committee which recommended the award to Ixanos.
King was a member of the Congress of the People, a key partner in the People's Partnership coalition government, which continues to emphasise its commitment to transparency, accountability and a new politics.
Persad-Bissessar was asked about the effect of the Mary King controversy on her coalition government.
"The government is not weakening, we are very strong. We remain very committed, very strong, focused and working. What this does show is we need to revoke a minister and if we have to, we will do it again," Persad-Bissessar said.
"We will have to look into that, and if the contract was improperly awarded, and I make no judgment on that, the contract will have to be revoked," Persad-Bissessar said.
Meanwhile, the National Executive and members of COP have congratulated Tewarie on his new role.
In a statement, the party's general secretary Kenny Lue Chee Lip noted that Tewarie had returned to the Cabinet after an absence of 20 years. "He brings to the table a wealth of experience, at a time when the global and local economy show signs of early recovery," Chee Lip said.
He added: "However, there are many challenges ahead… His ability to respond to challenges as an individual and team player is a source of great confidence. His entry at this time when the PP government is completing one year is very timely.
"From his university and corporate experience, he would have internalised solid principles such as process, procedure and structures; principles that are paramount to the delivery of good governance. Bhoe's solid background will only serve to strengthen the PP coalition government and make Trinidad and Tobago a better place. We congratulate him and wish him complete success in the future."
Tewarie has been an MP for Caroni East from December 1986 to December 1991. He also served a one-year term as minister from January 29, 1990, after Ken Gordon had resigned the position to return to the private sector.
Following the NAR's loss at the general elections of 1991, Tewarie returned to his position as a lecturer and director at the UWI Institute of Business, which has since been renamed the Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business. He also served as executive director until 2001.
Tewarie was appointed principal of the St Augustine campus in 2001, a position he held up to 2007.
Up to the time of his appointment as minister, Tewarie was a director at both CL Financial and Trinidad Publishing Co Ltd, since renamed Guardian Media Ltd. He also served as chairman of the National Institute for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology.

Port-of-Spain - The United Clico Policyholders Group has given the People's Partnership Administration three weeks in which to pay all monies owed to policyholders or face legal action.
Attorney Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj, during a media briefing at Centre Pointe Mall, Ramsaran Street, Chaguanas stated the group had not discounted an amicable resolution to the matter but said the offer must be "fair and reasonable" to policyholders.
"The group is prepared to consider a resolution of the matter provided it is a fair and reasonable offer. That is why we have given them 21 days," he said.
"We know that by filing this action, it would have certain consequences for the government and for the country but the policyholders decided that they are left with no alternative but to go ahead and file the action if it becomes necessary," Maharaj said.
Meanwhile speaking to reporters following a family-day organised by the Parliament, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar confirmed receipt of the pre-action protocol letter sent by the group saying it has been forwarded to Attorney General Anand Ramlogan.
"Yes I did receive the pre-action protocol letter and I've passed it to the Honourable Attorney General, who is the legal adviser to the Government, for a response to the letter," she said.
At the group's media briefing, Maharaj said some policyholders had complained about being unable to pay their medical bills or to send their children to school.
"So this not a matter of pure economics, it is a matter of social and economic injustice. The English lawyers are helping me, we are preparing the proceedings, and we are going to file the proceedings as soon as we can, after the 21 days have expired which would be about seven days' time," Maharaj said.
He said the group would apply to the High Court, to obtain leave "to get judicial review against that decision of the government which wants to implement the plan by Mr (Winston) Dookeran, announced in the Budget in September last year."
"It would amount to an illegality contrary to the provisions of the Insurance Act. It will contravene the principles of public law including legitimate expectation of a substantive benefit and un-reasonable action,' he said.
He said the group would also be seeking an interim order for the government to "supply us with information which would include information on the valuation of the CL Financial Group, including Clico, and to also supply us with information about what funds were paid into Clico or CL Financial from 2009 to now, and how much money of those funds have been applied to reduce the statutory deficit in respect of the statuory fund of Clico for all of the policyholders."
He said policyholders could expect to "get every cent of their monies which are due, every cent of their interest, and they would be entitled if they go to court to get damages."
Maharaj however declined to reveal the identity of the British lawyers.
Meanwhile, chairman of the Clico Policyholders Group Peter Permell said his organisation has not been consulted by the government about a possible exit strategy for policyholders.
In an emailed statement, Permell noted that an exit strategy may be in the offing "given the significant number of policyholders our group represents, the critical advocacy role we played in previous negotiations with the government inter-ministerial committee, and the fact that policyholders in general usually look to us for guidance and direction on the Clico issue."
"Surely, it would be a travesty and indeed a misstep or at the very minimum a serious oversight on the government's part, if the CPG is not consulted. Nonetheless, our information suggests that the reported 'exit strategy' seeks to create a brand new Clico plan that is expected to bring about a win-win situation and much needed closure for all the stakeholders involved in the Clico debacle," he stated.

Port-of-Spain - Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said yesterday that former UDeCOTT executive chairman Calder Hart will be brought to account for the wanton wastage of State funds.
"In case you may forget we must always remember the plunder and pillage of our treasury by a heartless foreigner who must be brought to account for the mismanagement of State funds," Persad-Bissessar said last week at the opening of the Maraval access roundabout.
Asked specifically is she was referring to Hart, Persad-Bissessar said, "that is the heart of the matter".
The Prime Minister's statement about going after Hart came following publication of a photograph in the Express of Hart dining with his wife Sherrine at the Hong Kong City BBQ restaurant in Ft Lauderdale on Mother's Day.
Hart left last year March for Florida after resigning as chairman of UDeCOTT, the National Insurance Board, National Insurance Property Development Company (NIPDEC), the Home Mortgage Bank and the Trinidad and Tobago Mortgage Finance Company.
An investigation examining the possibility of perjury charges during the commission of enquiry was initiated last year against Hart.
Hart had denied on two occasions before the Professor John Uff commission of enquiry into UDeCOTT and the construction sector that CH directors were his wife's brother and brother-in-law. CH was later sold to Sunway Development, which took over the work on the Legal Affairs Tower.
CH Development was awarded a (TT) $368 million contract to construct the Ministry of Legal Affairs Tower, in Port-of-Spain and a separate $300 million contract to install internal fixtures to the building. The first contract was $60 million more than the next lowest bid.
Persad-Bissessar assured that her government will not follow in these footsteps.
"We will do everything we can to do the best that we can to ensure that we not betray the trust that you put in us," she said.
She noted Opposition MP Colm Imbert's remarks that for 20 years the people of Maraval complained of the traffic problem.
Persad-Bissessar said it was not because of an empty Treasury that the people of Maraval were abandoned. She pointed out that millions were squandered behind tall buildings and summits under the former regime.
"I apologise to you if you do not see any big buildings going up because that is not my vision or mission," said Persad-Bissessar, adding that her aim is to work with the people to make this country a better place.

Port-of-Spain - Kamla Persad-Bissessar has received the highest rating from the public as the number one choice for prime minister if a general election is called. This was what a survey conducted by the ANSA McAL Psychological Research Centre between April 13 and 16, 2011, showed. Out of the 510 respondents polled, 36 percent said they would support Persad-Bissessar for PM, while Opposition Leader Keith Rowley took second place with 14 per cent.
Works and Transport Minister Jack Warner was third with five percent, while former prime minister, Patrick Manning was relegated to fourth place with a mere four percent.
Following closely behind Manning was COP leader Winston Dookeran with three percent, while six percent choose "other" (including Clive Abdulah, Fuad Bakr, Pennelope Beckles, Dr Amery Browne, Ramesh Deosaran, Basdeo Panday, Anand Ramlogan, Dr Bhoendradatt Tewarie and Wendy Lee Yuen).
Twenty-seven percent gave no response and five per cent stated "don't know."
Across ethnic groups, 60 percent Indo-Trinidadians indicated support for Persad-Bissessar, 28 percent Mixed and 18 percent Afro-Trinidadians.
Support for Rowley was stated by 24 percent Afro-Trinidadians, 13 percent Mixed and three percent Indo-Trinidadians.
Analysing support by ethnic groups showed that 64 percent of Indo-Trinidadians showed support for Persad- Bissessar, 20 percent Afro-Trinidadians and 15 percent Mixed. At least 70 percent of Afro-Trinidadians said they would support Rowley for Prime Minister, 13 percent Mixed and three percent Indo- Trinidadians.
With regard to sex, of the persons stating they would support Persad-Bissessar for PM 55 percent were females and 45 percent males. The number of males indicating they would support Rowley were 54 percent with 46 percent female giving the nod.
The age distribution of persons stating they would support Persad-Bissessar was 23 percent between the 18 and 30 age group, 18 percent in the age bracket 31 to 40, 29 percent between ages 41 and 55 and 30 percent crossing the 56-plus age group. Respondents stating they would support Rowley were 28 percent of the 18 to 30, seven percent between the ages 31 and 40, 26 percent in the age bracket 41-55 and 39 percent over age 56.
Meanwhile, despite facing a turbulent year in office, the PP government has been voted as the number one political party citizens will still support if a general election is called.
The survey was conducted among individuals 18 years and over — 39 percent Afro-Trinidadians, 39 percent Indo-Trinidadians, 21 percent Mixed persons and one percent Other groups. The sample consisted of 53 percent females.
The question posed by Chadee, a lecturer in the Department of Behavioural Sciences at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine, in a random sample of 510 respondents, was: "If a general election is called, which political party would you support?" In response to the question, 28 percent of the respondents indicated they would support the People's Partnership. The PNM received the second highest rating with 15 percent, while seven percent stated they would vote for the UNC.
Three percent went in favour of the COP. The NAR and NNV captured less than one percent. Approximately 26 percent stated they would not support any party, while 19 percent said "Don't know."
Analysing responses by ethnicity (that is, for each ethnic group assessing their party preference), there was a 42 percent difference between Afro-Trinidadians and Indo-Trinidadians, stating People's Partnership.
Specifically, 61 percent Indo-Trinidadians, 32 percent Mixed and 19 percent Afro-Trinidadians said they would support the People's Partnership. Supporting the PNM was 27 percent Afro-Trinidadians, 16 percent Mixed and three percent Indo-Trinidadians.
Respondents who were undecided were 25 percent Mixed, 21 percent Afro-Trinidadians and 14 percent Indo-Trinidadians.
The ethnic breakdown of party support showed that for the People's Partnership, 61 percent were Indo-Trinidadians, 20 percent Afro-Trinidadians and 17 percent Mixed persons. The ethnic composition of those supporting the PNM was 70 percent Afro-Trinidadians, 21 percent Mixed and eight percent Indo-Trinidadians.

Port-of-Spain - Over $3.6 million was spent on private jet travel between 2007 and May 2010 by former prime minister Patrick Manning, Foreign Affairs Minister Suruj Rambachan revealed last week.
And, he said, Manning made a total of 40 trips during that period. Faced with criticism from the PNM on what they see as Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar's frequent travel, Rambachan gave details on Manning's travel and also sought to demonstrate that the travel made by the Prime Minister was fully justified.
As he itemised the cost and each instance when an aircraft was used, there were cries of disbelief from his colleagues. Rambachan revealed that in one instance the trip cost almost $100,000 per person when in 2009 Manning led an eight-member delegation to Brazil, Paraguay, Ecuador, Nicaragua and Mexico at a cost of $754,860 by private jet.
Rambachan, who made the disclosures in a statement to the House of Representatives, said there had been a lot of discussion on the issue of the chartering of a Caribbean Airlines flight to Brasilia and Rio de Janeiro for Persad-Bissessar's most recent trip.
He said the total cost of the charter was $547,322. Of this amount the Trinidad and Tobago government paid $232,196 and the private sector paid $312,284. The Prime Minister had taken a 40-member State and private sector delegation to the World Economic Forum in Brazil, chartering a 737 aircraft which could seat 154 people.
"It is interesting that our friends on the other side tried to make much about this charter. However, it is instructive to examine some of the costs incurred by the former prime minister and Member of San Fernando East during the period 2007-2009," Rambachan said.
Rambachan said in 2007 Manning made 13 trips including visits to Ethopia, Tanzania, Jamaica, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Guyana, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Belize, the US, Barbados, Cuba, and Uganda. A number of these trips were made using private jets.

Port-of-Spain - Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar says the government plans to increase the compensation packages offered to bereaved families of law enforcement officers who are killed in the line of duty. She said following the funeral service for slain Police Constable Anil Persad. The officer was killed in the line of duty during a gun battle with marijuana cultivators last Thursday in the Charuma Forest. He had nine years' service.
Persad-Bissessar, speaking with reporters following a military parade at High Street, Siparia, said she was saddened by the news of the officer's death.
"Certainly our condolences go out to his loved ones. The most we can do is offer our condolences. From what I understand he was a brave man who died in the line of duty," she said. The Prime Minister said the government was reviewing legislation to increase compensation for families of members of the protective service killed in the line of duty.
"Money of course cannot bring back a life, but at the moment the package is very, very small for all the protective services. It is something we are giving consideration to," she said.
Persad-Bissessar said as a member of the Opposition, she met with then prime minister Patrick Manning to deal with the Police Bills.
"One of the pieces of legislation that he promised to look at (was) to give enhanced benefits where an officer is killed in the line of duty. So it is something that we are vigorously pursuing," she said.