Tuesday February 9th, 2010
- Last update:12 hours 28 min ago
Hart: Every day is a challenge
Published: 25 Oct 2009
Every day is a challenge, says Calder Hart. The executive chairman of the Urban Development Corporation of T&T (Udecott), Hart finally broke his silence last Thursday in an exclusive interview with the Sunday Guardian, nine months after the start of the Commission of Enquiry into the construction sector. Hart was at the National Academy of Performing Arts in Port-of-Spain where the Sunday Guardian was taken on a guided tour of the facility. Looking on as Chinese workers were busily polishing wood fixtures and fittings in the main theatre, Hart said the Commission of Enquiry had become a test on his daily life. “The entire situation has been very challenging for me. Every day is a challenge, but I have to do what it is I have to do.”
Referring to sacked Trade Minister Dr Keith Rowley, Hart said, “I do not know why he is doing what he is doing, but we are going to continue doing our work here. I have absolutely no idea why he is doing this...” Rowley was fired from Cabinet last year by Prime Minister Patrick Manning for what was described as “wajang behaviour.” Rowley had raised objections to the construction of a 60-room hotel at the academy and to certain aspects of the operations of Udecott. Rowley has maintained that the original design for the academy did not include a hotel and expressed shock over the construction of the building. The issues raised by Rowley sparked widespread controversy with several sectors of the society calling for a Commission of Enquiry into the operations of Udecott. Instead, an inquiry into the operations of the construction sector commenced in January, but has since been halted.
The academy, which stands at US$60 million is being constructed by Shanghai Construction Company. Hart said he was oblivious over what sparked the controversy between himself and Rowley. He indicated, though, that his aim was to complete the mandate he was given. Assuring that the academy will be completed in time for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting next month, Hart said, “They have referred to this academy as a galvanised shed. “This theatre has state of the art lighting, a powerful sound system and a moveable stage...nowhere else has that in this country. The roof alone for this building is steel, aluminium and stainless steel. We were given a mandate and we have to finish our work. If we don’t do our work they will win and we cannot allow that to happen. We have work to do and we are getting the jobs done.” The academy is expected to be handed over to Government on November 9.
Calder Hart is looking for
Calder Hart is looking for sympathy from the people of T&T but the people want answers from Hart about the alleged corrupt practices taking place at the UDeCOTT . why is Hart pretending that he is ignorant to what Dr.Rowley is saying about the UDeCOTT ?? Transparency and accountable is lacking at the UDeCOTT and Calder Hart must provide answers to the issues which were addressed by Dr.Rowley and Lawrence Maharaj in the Parliament on Monday October 19 , 2009 . Calder Hart must state why he and his cohorts should not be fired for the court action which they brought to stop the Uff Commission of Enquiry an while he is at it , he (Hart) must tell the people of T&T what secrets he is holding for the PM , Patrick Manning . Hart must also address the issue of nepotism allegedly being practiced at the UDeCOTT .
ATW-Barbados .
Let's hope that quality and
Let's hope that quality and safety are not sacrificed to finish the building for the CHOGM show before the People bring down the final curtain on this corrupt regime. By then Hart and his people and the money will be long gone.
Yes, every day is a challenge how to squeeze every last cent out of the Treasury and how to stay one step ahead of the law.
Oh Dear Mr Hart, you feeling
Oh Dear Mr Hart, you feeling the pressure?, CEOs dont have day to day pressure, its his admin that has the day to day pressures, so its getting to you?, THe fax # Mr Hart?, I hear a Calypso is coming on "de fax numbah" eh? You cant run back to Canada? how would you move de money? We looking at movement of money. Rowley for PM and if he gets it you are sunk.
He could always escape to
He could always escape to Malaysia; no problem. He's got lots of connections there, starting with wifey & brothers-in-law.
Desmond , one of Harts many
Desmond , one of Harts many every day challenges is how UDeCOTT can borrow money from the Home Morgage Bank without the public knowing because he is chairman of BOTH GOVT CORPORATIONS !!!! The contract was for $134 million and $170 million was borrowed !!!! Another of his challenges is bringing the Uff Commission to a halt by way of a legal challenge . Yet another of his daily challenges is to find a method of how to silence Dr. Rowley from revealing the truth pertaining to the alleged corrupt practices at the UDeCOTT . The Prime Minister said the Rowley had joined forces with Maharaj to bring down his govt - but the truth be told , the UDeCOTT scandal is going to bring down the PNM govt as sure as day follows night - out of darkness , comes light .
Dr Keith Rowley is spending the weekend in the sister island of Barbados and I hope that his stay will be pleasant and relaxing .
.
ATW-Barbados .
Mr Hart if the pressure is
Mr Hart if the pressure is getting to you,then you should take the easy out.Commit suicide.In other words you would have no questions to answer.
I strongly disagree. This
I strongly disagree. This man is holding too many secrets the divulgence of which are of vital importance. Maybe he can do a deal with the DPP: return the loot and turn State witness in exchange for a light sentence and safe conduct to Malaysia after he pays his debt to society. Jail ent nice, you know, especially in places like Malaysia.
EXPENSIVE
EXPENSIVE CHALLENGE...?
...if Hart is Chairman of UdeCOTT and spending $40 billion to $60 billion dollars of the "People's Money"...depending on who's figures you believe, without any accountability...and he finds that to be a daily challenge...?
...well think about the "people" who have to sacrifice to provide those funds, while they are made to do without health care, security, poor schools and education, no roads, no water...and the lists goes on and on....what are their daily sacrifices Hart..???....all for you...and the PM...?
...and if with all of that...you now saying that you are "oblivious" as to what the ongoing issues are with Rowley, the Uff Commission, and the "people's concerns" with regards to all of this, in short if you claim to "KNOW NOTHING ABOUT ANYTHING"...!...could you then explain to "the people" as to why you should continue to be Chairman of UdeCOTT and also the many other Chairman/Ececutive positions of the many other state enterprise boards..."IF YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT ANYTHING..."???
...what exactly are then, Calder Hart the "necessary qualifications" to hold these posts that pay unlimited salaries & perks???...and to use only at your discretion the "people's monies"...with accountability to no one except yourself and the Prime Minister...???
...so doh come now talking to we an tellin' we about "daily challenge"...we the people of TnT know all about stress and challenges...that has been our daily bread for a long time...all the way back to the days of "slavery and indentured labour"...we are used to it...!
...but for you, well more stress to come yet...wait till the "jilted lover" and ex-hubby Khan and your now mate have to testify at the Commission...well stress now start for you...and if you doh know nothin'...then you'll surely find out a lot in a short time...quick, quick, quick...!
...so like the Prince says..."jail ent nice, you know..."...!
...instead of saying "all this is a daily stress/challenge and you know nothing about anything"...!...
...you might be better off just taking a page from the well known Mafia Boss and Kingpin...who said..."I take the fifth amendment (U.S Constitution)...I refuse to answer on grounds I might incriminate myself...???...and we all know what happened to him...???...the FBI and the CIA are notorious, aren't they...???
...or, you could always run to Canada instead, but the there too is where the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) motto is..."WE ALWAYS GET OUR MAN"...!
...boy talk about choices eh..?..."just like the devil and the deep blue sea..."...or "a rock and a hard place"...???
...but you could always rely on sidekick Patrick...he have biblical answers and solutions to all these quotes...!
...however, my preferences are more from Clint Eastwood..."Hang 'em High"..."For a Few Dollars More"..."Fistfull of Dollars"...so go ahead and take your pick..."or do you feel lucky today, punk..."?!
... so, "GO AHEAD, MAKE MY DAY"...stress yourself out, you earned it...as the saying goes...no rest for the wicked...and no mercy either...!
Goodluck...!
Trini.t.o.o
Like they clone the man or
Like they clone the man or what, Trini too? If I was making that kinda money that reporter Sacha Mohammed says the man is making, I too will have a challenge everyday - a challenge deciding how to spend so much 'free' US dollars, and also to be in so many places at one and the same time in so many Boards! Like they clone the man or what? You know the term 'easy-kai', Trini? It means, 'easy takings'. (By the way, the looney is almost on par with the US$ right now. But, 'money eh no problem' (Dr Eric Williams, Ras Shorty I.)
ajfyzabadbutlertown
Every day is a challenge
Every day is a challenge because you've got to think of new ways of stealing money without getting caught. I expected it to be less challenging to you since you have a lot of experience at it.
Trini.t.o.o, when you quote
Trini.t.o.o, when you quote "jail ent nice" you are really quoting Manning's advice to Panday. But the way things going, they might be mates in the caboose. And if you accustom to be capo di tutti capi in you own Palace, is quite a come down.
"If we don't do our work ,
"If we don't do our work , they will win... "
The above according to Calder Hart.
Let us be clear Mr. Hart - don't be under any illusions that the completion of the Adacemy of Performing Arts will change the tide for you. Not in the minds of the TnT public at least. On top of all the $$$'s being spent on the upcoming Commonwealth HOG Meeting next month, people are fed-up with your (and the Govt's) offhand additude towards the lack of accountability for UDECOTT in general, and the UFF inquiry in particular.
AS you already know, criminals (white-collar included) are always the first to proclaim their innocence. The devil as always in the details. If you do not know why Dr. Rowley has taken the stance that he has, they pray help us with some details to prove your 'innocence' - the details behind the much discussed FAX #; what is your / your wife's connection with CH Limited, etc..
Having said that, life indeed should be a challenge for you. Do you really expect to be the head of UDECOTT and other prominent State Corporations without it being a challenge ? After all, you are expected to earn your 'keep' and more.. Not unlike the rest of us. As 'Trini.to.o' stated so eloquently.
Where do you thing you are living - some tropical island, or less developed nation ??
...thanks Prince for the
...thanks Prince for the "correction" on the source of the quote...much appreciated...I was not aware where it came from, except when I saw it on the thread you submitted...!
...however, it's getting really cold up in Saskatchewan, so if "jail ent nice" in good ole TnT...well you don't really want to know what its like in -35C , (below freezing)...even the geese have already headed south to the warmer climes because they smart...so you think Hart want to head up north...with his bottle of "cough syrup" in hand...up in the freezing cold...?
...no way jose'...where will he park "his yacht"...?...on the "ice and snow" in the prairies...???...my guess is, Malaysia...easy to get lost in the crowd...with friends and family and all...but I'm no James Bond, what the heck do I know...???
...with all the recent news about the "Chinese traffic" back and forth to Trinidad...you never can tell...we could really be dealing with "clones" and none the wiser...?
...after all the world is chock full of "snake oil salesmen" with suitcases packed with "something to sell" out there looking for the unsuspecting buyer...and as Waldo said, "one is born every minute...a sucker that is..."!
...but this is the "Land of Milk and Honey"...and fete,bacchanal and gossip...so we just have to wait and see...patience is virtue, painful as it may be...patience my friends, we're almost there...!
Goodluck...!
Trini.t.o.o