The Integrity in Public Life Act, the Environmental Management Act (EMA), and the Procurement Act were all introduced to improve the system of governance. Requiring public officials to declare their assets was designed to reduce the possibility of unjust enrichment.
The EMA introduced a cogent body of regulations to ensure that development spaces were subject to a common standard. The Procurement Act, even if it was watered down to provide the Government with latitude in the procurement of certain services, demands adherence to specified rules, processes, and conduct in the use of public money and property.
Dr Rowley has repeatedly and publicly proclaimed his commitment to integrity in public life. Indeed, it is arguable that his ascendance to the leadership of the People’s National Movement and the office of the Prime Minister was based on this stance. It is equally true that Dr Rowley has excoriated these institutions when he sees fit.
However, these attacks have not always been justified or necessary. The key point is that integrity must be lived and cannot always be legislated. In a post-Cabinet briefing on June 13, Dr Rowley, motivated by the perceived impediment to development at Rocky Point, Tobago, by a group of private developers, singled out the EMA for a public tongue-lashing. He belittled the institution, saying that it has been used to obstruct development, citing the Sandals Hotel project in Tobago and the aluminium smelter in La Brea.
His recollections regarding the smelter project did not do justice to the facts. His dismissal of other unnamed miscreants was also unbecoming. In response, the president of the Joint Consultative Council, Fazir Khan, characterised the Prime Minister’s comments as unfortunate and a puerile rant.
He called for due process, using the EMA procedures to attain the required balance between mitigating environmental impact and sustainable operations. Importantly, Mr Khan noted that historically, governmental entities have been habitual breakers of the country’s environmental laws. As evidence, he indicated that many of WASA’s sewage treatment plants do not comply with environmental rules for effluent discharge. The decline in the fortunes of the energy sector makes the pursuit of diversification efforts imperative. Undoubtedly, the closeness of the next general election and the electoral calculus have also added a sense of urgency to development projects in Tobago. However, all developments must be done within the context of the country’s environmental laws, with fairness and equity for all. Similarly, the process to be used in the Petrotrin refinery disposal must also be fair and transparent.
Dr Rowley indicated that he was unaware of any allegations of corruption against industrialist Naveen Jindal. In this regard, it would be surprising if the PM’s office had not performed any background checks before his visit. Stuart Young’s comment that those charges were from long ago is not reassuring. The issue is whether the charges have been dropped.
A simple internet search would have revealed that the charges were framed in July 2019 under sections 420 (cheating) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code against Jindal and four others. Allegations and claims of corruption surface every election.
A flippant offhand dismissal by the newly minted senior counsel by referring to charges against the Opposition is unacceptable. Leaders must demonstrate that the public interest is always paramount.
