Tuesday February 9th, 2010
- Last update:6 hours 19 min ago
Annisette: No abuse of state funds by Udecott
Published: 3 Oct 2009
Independent senator and director of the Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (Udecott) Michael Annisette has denounced statements that Udecott was squandering and abusing state funds in legal proceedings. He said, “Do not misrepresent the facts. Do not make the public believe that we are misusing public money. It (is) the law that we are following.
“In one breath, you (are) saying that we are a runaway horse; we (are) not following the law and when we are following the law, we (are) mistreating public money.” He was contributing on Thursday night in the debate on legislation in the Senate to validate and secure the commission and its work. Annisette displayed signs of outrage after another Independent senator, Dana Seetahal, inquired in crosstalk about who would be the person paying the expenses chalked up by Udecott’s judicial review case against the commission.
“That is not the issue and I (am) glad that you (have) come and I will answer you because you...Udecott has been set up under the Companies Ordinance, all right, and therefore in that context we fall under the rules and regulations governing that and (it) is the board members that are exposed, not the minister,” he said. “If they (are) going and charge anybody, they (are) not going to charge the Minister , they are going to charge Michael Annisette, all right, and in those kinds of circumstances under those laws, it is the company that has to pay the legal fees.”
Annisette said judicial review was not automatic and that an application had to be filed and it was the discretion of the judge to determine its basis. “So it is not automatic and at the ending of the day, the court is going to determine whether you are right or wrong,” he said. “How can other people have rights and when you exercise a right, it is wrong, it is immoral, it is unethical and you should resign...I mean it is so ludicrous, it is so unfair.”
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
CONFLICT OF INTEREST -
Mr Annisette being on the board is obviously a conflict of interest, he should resign or be removed.
Ramesh I have named you
Ramesh I have named you the
Submitted by ryan4party on 2 October 2009 - 10:19pm.
Ramesh I have named you the best legal mind in the Caribbean and this is how you repay your public, oh I stepping down, look the public need to slap you around or what? how you can have the AG dealing with the Law Association and the general public like this, like you do care for we, yo bro let me know, because ryan4party can be the same way. Hart less, lol.
If you riding, ride now, don’t stop, just go. I will help you, we the people giving you one week, where u at.
People of Trinidad and Tobago, Ryan4Party said it before, I will take anyone and make them the PM, Ryan4Party vote for PM is Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Time for the first woman to run things for real, whatever party she choose, UNC or COP, jack where u at, I think the women can bring back our country, the same way they take care of our families, ever a PNM said it “I will be like a house wife”. Anyone want some intelligent debate on this one, you are welcome to bring it.
La Diva, Kitty, Gardenia, and all other female bloggers, please note, Ryan4Party don’t have any issues with the women running things, I think it will be a good thing; it will help our nation as a whole and not just our political conchants. Now does not mean I will leave out the male bloggers out, guys what you think about my choice. I think I can`t go wrong for 5 years, who take care of you guys from the day you born.
edit reply Report this comment Time to stop the political
Submitted by ryan4party on 2 October 2009 - 10:29pm.
Time to stop the political game between the parties and so call rulers, you have all had your time, you are all rich, now it’s the people time, by avoiding the debate we can see who is political motivated on this forum, UNC how the PNM have the country someone better call the COP, but guess what its all a game, we the people suffer, how many bloggers have been online in the last week, who they support, what they see, who are they! Told you people don’t have time for games, but since some people want to play, I with it. Welcome of the game you cannot win because of evolution of human minds.
edit reply Report this comment Panday has no case, it is
Submitted by ryan4party on 2 October 2009 - 10:59pm.
Panday has no case, it is all a game –
1. How can you have a case for some one that is publicly on the media on a daily basis for a man that was the PM of our country, then we read articles on the media, Abu got issues with pre publicity, so what will you say about Panday, you can never try this man in Trinidad and Tobago.
2. How the hell you cannot prove a ethnic cleansing case for Panday, (Just remember we in Trinidad and Tobago court, what we doing here with this man case) Look at the media, everything in the media including the comments go into history, Google ryan4party, mike see, I am writing history, just you did not know, go Google it and tell me how it looks for the PNM and where Manning brought our founding party. (Please see attributes of ethnic cleansing, Mr. Panday and the last CJ are both victims) Panday has no charge or case, but the state owes him some money.
Now people I said I will work for panday daughter for free, I did, there is Panday case that the PNM got on him, Manning what up sir. Sad the people know the truth, sad the people can see through you sir.
People suffering! And Now!
That and God's face you will
That and God's face you will never see...
Jumbie's Watch
Thats Y we living in hell,
Thats Y we living in hell, tell me that next time your family get kill.
Come on if we going to talk
Come on if we going to talk about this bring something real. Don’t worry ryan4party just piss off, so I will take any augment, bring the best.
I was referring to the
I was referring to the comment about Annisette's resignation...
"That and God's face you will never see."
Jumbie's Watch
Resign because of conflict
Resign because of conflict of interest? That's too easy. Who in this country resigns because of conflict of interest? The other Annisette? What was the conflict of interest there? Is that an example to the "Senator"?
The simple fact is that the people of this country has lost respect and confidence in this "Senator's" ability to participate fairly and honourably in our legislative process. The President MUST remove this "Senator" from the Senate immediately!
Withdraw this appointment now!
Annisette should have
Annisette should have provided a list of all UDECOTT's projects, the initial estimates, the costs as the projects progressed, the final costs on completion, the original estimates for execution and the actual time taken for completion etc, etc, to substantiate his claims and defence. Or are all these cost overruns are a figment of people's imagination. Scandalous to say the least.
The Prince:- I attempted to
The Prince:- I attempted to follow the argument being thrown around by 'Independent' Senator Annisette. I had to ask myself, was this man an official Independent Senator or a Board Members/Representative of UDeCOTT who bulldozed his way into the Senate to defend them, similar to Jeremie in Parliament defending the P.M. on the Bakr Affidavit. I got the impression that he was 'bullying' the rest of the senators, especially 'little' Ms. Seetahal to force them to agree with him, and get off the backs of UDeCOTT. I agree with you that he should have brought with him supporting statistics to prove his claims. It is unthinkable to see the behaviour of our gov't officials when they are supposed to be carrying out the people's business. You using the word "scandalour" are being kind with your adjective. It is unconscientionable. Sad to see how the taxpayers money is being spent/wasted. (I had a good chuckle this morning - being 'called out', and don't make fun of me. Be kind.) Enjoy your day.
There is a tendency to be so
There is a tendency to be so vociferous and animated when dealing with simple questions that it can be interpreted that the intention is to intimidate the person asking the question.
Why continue to offer such strong defenses of this rouge company, that according to evidence presented has been condemned by the nation?
Shakespeare said in Hamlet "methinks the lady doth protest too much"
Trinidadians say 'you have cocoa in the sun'
This gentleman needs to be looked at very closely.
Dan, in answer to your
Dan, in answer to your question as to why? - My guess is that he is part of the problem and needs to protect his 'investments' and/or his 'partners in crime'. We will find out sooner or later; We hope.
And to think that our P.M. has proclaimed that he is taking us to First World Status by 2020; I guess he is right - like Madoff and his Ponzi Scheme, Lord Conrad Black, Ken Lay and Enron, etc. (the 1st 2 sitting in jail, and Lay passed died before they could take him to the prison gates.)
Remember recently when the scandal hit in the U.K. with politicians feeding at the public's trough; a politicians was quoted as saying "You cannot clean up a cesspit, without doing some unpleasant tbings." I guess it's our turn in T&T to start the clean-up!
Gardenia, you have to be
Gardenia, you have to be mindful that the man is like an old time badjohn, a ruffian a common hooligan. Remember he boasted he was a dockworker when he challenged Rowley to understand that he eh fraid im. Maybe he was thinking about the ufo teacup and flying saucer that was allegedly seen to land in the Parliament not so long ago, resulting in one MP being hauled before the Parliamentary Privileges Committee.
Talk about wajang behaviour. I remember before we had TV in Trinidad listening on the radio at 8.00 o'clock at nights to our MPs' debates in the House when we had men like Eric Williams, Winston Mahabir, Patrick Solomon, Gerard Montano, Lionel F Seukeran, Mitra & Ashford Sinanan et al & House Speakers like Mortimer Duke and Arnold Thomasos. These men made their contributions with decorum, dignity and professionalism. And when the Senate was first established, we also had men and women of similar calibre and the distinguished Maurice Hamilton as its President. Oh for the good old days, eh?
The Prince, oh for the good
The Prince, oh for the good old days. Never to return. I remember as a kid watching my grandmother sitting there every night with her ear to the radio, listening to the debates. Kids had to be on our best behaviour.
Those you mentioned (some of the names are familiar) had to be able to stand on they 'soap box' and get their message across, equipped with excellent communication skills and that certainly included a good command of the english language, for starters, not relying on 'street lingo' as we are being bombarded with now; knowledge of their subject matter; and definitely decorum, and be able to get the attention of the public over the air.
I remember when I first started working, my boss asked me to do something and I responded "I ain't going to do it" to which she repsponded "missey, if you are going to refuse, do it with proper grammar and english'. It stuck with me. We need more people like that around.
In today's terminology Mr. Annisette is the typical 'bully in the school yard' terrorising the innocent kids. I guess someone would have to 'take him out'!
But I don't know if you had the privilege of listening to the late Sen. Kennedy making his presentations in the Senate. He came well prepared and address his subject matter with his heart and soul, and would take on any one who got out of line. He believed in his cause. There is another - a 90 year old Senator Byrd (?) even at his age he is oh so good, but his presentations too are lengthy. He keeps your attention. The late Piere Trudeau - Canadian Prime Minister was another. Those of us who have had the privilege of experiencing the past have something to compare with what's happening in our 'theatre' in Parliament/Senate.
But our lot in T&T, it would appear that they are looking out for # ONE, first and foremost, and would not hesitate to indulge in some of the 'unmentionables'. Like an addict they would sell their body and soul to get their next 'fix'. As soon as the cameras get turned on they are ready and waiting for 'action', like a deer in the headlights of an on-coming vehicle, they get startled and loose their bearings, what ever little they have in the first place.
Even if we wish to push for change in behaviour, we would have a difficult time, because the majority of those sitting in Cabinet were not voted into office by the people; they were hand-picked and annointed. If they were elected officials the people in their ridings could go after them and demand accountability. But we are somewhat lost at sea with not a twig in sight to hang on to. But we do have some we can still rely on in the House, Rowley, Kamla, and yes, even Panday at times - eloquence and heart. Our P.M. certainly not - he oozes pomposity like an authenic dictator.
The 'power' these people grab in Parliament seems to control them, and any decorum they may have had hammered into them gets flushed down the toilet. Do you think that some of them actually know what DECORUM is? I believe they are of the opinion that the word and its requirements are for the average person and they are not average, as they are 'superior' beings. What a world, and some are warning that things will get worst. Won't let it happen under my watch though, with unwavering support from the likes of you!
(It appears that I made use of my time on the Soap Box)
Whhhhhewwwww.... Gardenia.
Whhhhhewwwww.... Gardenia. Good thing I took a break and indulged in a little sustenance to be able to fathom what met my eyes.
But I'm glad to see that you too experienced some of the privelieges amd pleasures of the past. But where did we go wrong? That will have to be the subject of another treatise, unless you want to give it a go with all that energy and passion waiting to be released on the slightest stimulation.
Yes, with all these peacocks, it's only form and style, no substance, as they gallery for the cameras like peacocks in heat. And to think some of them have masters degrees and even phds. But these days you can buy them dime a dozen, and some of them are not even worth the paper they are printed on. There are so many students at uni these days who can't spell or string a decent sentence together with all the falling standards in education.
Yes I do remember the Canadian PM Pierre Trudeau. He was the Leader of the Liberals in the Canadian Federal Parliament. He visited T'dad around 1970 or so and it was reported Eric Wiliams snubbed him by making him wait on him. Trudeau opened up the door to immigration and there was a wave of migrants from the Caribbean in that period, particularly Guyanese fleeing the tyranny of Burnham. Also Asian Ugandans arrived in droves kicked out by Amin with just the shirts and blouses on their backs.
Trudeau was a confirmed batchelor until he married the young daughter of a senior Liberal. His wife was quite a Bohemian in her time. Even dabbled a bit in North Africa. When she met your friend Fidel Castro, still relatively youthful, she found him quite sexy when she looked into his eyes, she said. One night she came home late, allegedly having had a close encounter with Mick Jagger of Rolling Stones and next day she was seen trying to conceal a black eye, presumably delivered by her black belt PM husband. They drifted apart and in order to be near the children after the break-up she bought a house near the PM's residence in Ottawa.
You ask whether our MPs in the (Bawdy) House would know the meaning of the word "decorum". They probably think it has something to do with painting and furnishing palaces with 3million-dollar curtains and drapes. Some of their language is so pompous, I couldn't resist analysing the bombasticity of the PM's opening line in his address to the UN. I did so when commenting on today's Guardian Editorial on opening an Embassy in China. Don't know if you read the Editorial today.
But before closing I again would like to propose you for high office in the Second Republic of Trinidad & Tobago. In order to distance ourselves from the sad past, when we re-write the Constitution we shall rename our country "The Second Republic of Trinbago". And please don't do a Julius Caesar on us to thrice refuse the crown that has been thrice offered. They say third time lucky.
Good to see that I got you
Good to see that I got you to get away from the ills of today, at least for a short while.
Not so bad to reminisce. See you got a chuckle out of my epistle. Then it did not go up in smoke.
Even got you to open up your Treasure Chest of memories.
The Lady Trudeau was a real flower child - peace and love ....
Have not gone through the news yets, only here and there. Will do so now.
May continue ... another day and time.
2nd Republic - not bad, but must clean House first.
Will take your offer under advisement ... in the meantime it will be held in abeyance until the time is ripe. How about that?
Do take care of yourself my friend.
Gardenia
Always glad to stray off the
Always glad to stray off the beaten track when it's same old, same old everyday.
Glad to see you'll come on board the new dispensation. But you'll have to roll up your sleeves and muck in with the rest of us. Sorry, no silver platter service, comrade.
AFRICAN REGALITY
AFRICAN REGALITY -
When I see him I see a proud REGAL AFRICAN. When I hear him, I remember the strongest slaves were used to whip the others. It is a sad legacy. I remember my loving dark skinned great grandmother who through a process of education/indoctrination showed preference to her light skinned straight nosed grand children. I was conflicted as she was a very loving person. There are many of us who are not even aware of this in us as the process is so subtle.
The Senator 'doth protest
The Senator 'doth protest too much, methinks'. With total deference, I pose one purely hypothetical question to the Senator: If a busy working man or woman is building a home but don't have time to pay the builders and he/she assigns this task to his/her goodly stay-at-home 'madam' or hussie(the wifey or hussie will manage the money, shall I say?), and she /he starts shelling out money left right and centre, so much so that the money almost done and the foundation eh even finish, what will you think of dear wifey's or hussie's money management skills?
ajfyzabadbutlertown
Hey, go easy on the little
Hey, go easy on the little woman.
The female person at home is the 'significant other' or 'better-half', having exhausted all the nice titles of - wife, love-of-my-life, missus, my children's mother, my madam, financial adviser, the boss; but please NO 'hussie'. It gives the impression of a 'kept woman' one lacking in 'class' and one who receives no respect from you; and your significant-other gets your full respect, and stamp of approval. Look around and you will see it is the man-of-the-house who squanders, goes over budget, hangs his hat higher than he can reach, and the stay-at-home boss has to do some quick-step money management to feed and clothe the family.
But in your hypothetical scenario you sir would have to sit her down and start with Finance/Budgeting 101 - she would be a quick learner!
Can't say the same for the man-of-squander, repeat offender. You will have to build a little 'lean-too' to protect the family from the elements.
Serious now - this man is behaving like a caged wild animal: wonder why? Or is it simply his personality to bully others to 'keep them in line .. his line'. Or with the live coverage on TV he is playing to the cameras, attempting to portray himself as the 'bad john' he really is. Take your pick, but this is 'not fit for the eyes and/or ears of little children'. It is undesirable behaviour.
What makes it more disturbing is that this type of behaviour is on the increase in our House of Power - Can't and must not be allowed to continue.
'Woman is Boss'(Denyse
'Woman is Boss'(Denyse Plummer, Trinidad Calypsonian), Gardenia. You're absolutely right. Humnanity (no tongue-in-cheek here)owes a greater debt to women than is generally acknowledged. Without 'you all' we won't be here. And every precious 'pickney' is a mother's jewel, her joy, her inspiration. She potects each one equally as she would scold him / her. So, this gentleman, by his defending of the indefensible, may be clearly due for a 'scolding'.
Top of the day to you and may your fertile mind and fingers forever 'feed' this and other 'blags' with your wisdom, depth, creativity, clarity and incisiveness. (Doh blush!!). May you stay 'forever young' (Bob Dylan).
ajfyzabadbutlertown
Thanks! And you got a
Thanks!
And you got a sense of humour and a gift for the gab too. We are as young as we feel, and I am still 21 and counting ...
Sorry, but you made me go red in the face.
Enjoy your day.
Gardenia
Annisette has no argument,
Annisette has no argument, he is just blowing some steam off or in other words all PNM supporters get a say, now it his turn, and he has said nothing. There is nothing here to blog about, unless you like being used by our government for a game.
Hear this, : how can you
Hear this, : how can you have an Independent senator being a director of UDECOTT? Isn't this a conflict of interest?. How did he get this job knowing he was a senator? He has to drop one, quit either or get fired, getting fried/fired is a good idea. How can he vote on laws to control Udecott when he is a senator and a director. What is going on? Where is the Integrity commission, where are the laws in TT that say this cannot happen?
Interlocking political
Interlocking political directorate? Where have y'all been. This crap has been going on in TnT for decades. It's been going on in the financial sector where a banker can sit on the board of directors of an insurance company, the Manufacturers Association, and the media. So let's say the Guardian is in deep financial doo-doo, there is a Guardian director who can go the Board of the Republic Bank and ask not to foreclose on their loan and then to the Insurance Co and ask to delay dropping their insurance. It's called interlocking directorates. How do you think the ROYAL BANK got itself in trouble with millions of dollars in loans to a certain conglomerate.
Annisette is dead wrong. It
Annisette is dead wrong. It is not a matter of UDECOTT's right to use all legal means to defend itself. The UFF Commission is of national importance and UDECOTT is a state owned entity and it does not have the right to hide behind legal manouverings to thwart the proceedings.
If the Board is so adamant about it let them use their own personal funds to defend against so called bias.
The governamnet stance is equally disturbing. They are going to start marketing UDECOTT's rights at our expense. It reinforces people's belief that senior government members are heavily involved and will do what ever they can to ensure the Commission never completes its mnadate.
If Cabinet can instruct two State bodies to desist from decertifying unions, they can certainly tell UDECOTT to withdraw their legal attacks on the Commission