Tuesday February 9th, 2010
- Last update:10 hours 20 min ago
Ramesh says fire Udecott board
Published: 4 Oct 2009
Tabaquite MP, Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj, is describing as “a big conspiracy,” the latest twist in the Urban Development Corporation of T&T (Udecott) affair. Seething with rage, the former attorney general has damned it as “worse than Watergate. It’s the worst that I’ve ever seen,” he added. “This thing is extremely baffling,” said Maharaj, in analysing last Friday’s court ruling that puts the revealing Uff Commission of Enquiry into cold storage.
And Maharaj queried why the Patrick Manning administration was continuing to give hefty construction contracts to the state-owned entity, in spite of sworn testimonies of alleged breaches of tendering procedures. He wondered aloud why the Calder Hart-headed board of directors was being kept in place, in the face of the staggering claims before the Uff probers. “The Prime Minister must fire the board,” said Maharaj, who served as AG for five years. “It’s not too late. Government has 100 per cent ownership of Udecott, and has the power to fire the board, appoint a new board, and direct the policy the way it wants it.”
He pointed to the Cabinet directive to the boards of Public Transport Service Corporation (PTSC) and Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) to rescind planned decertification moves against sitting trade unions. “How come, therefore, the Government couldn’t instruct Udecott, a wholly-owned state enterprise, to withdraw its action against the commission of enquiry? “What bias is Udecott claiming? “How could the Government seek to legalise the commission, after non-publication in the Gazette, and then not give a policy directive on the legal action?”
The ex-AG then pondered that the Government simply does not want the commission’s work to proceed. Udecott challenged the commission in court, even after two prominent government ministers had come down against such a move. As late as last Thursday night, Attorney General John Jeremie reiterated an assertion that he was in favour of the continuation of the investigation. Jeremie told the Senate: “My understanding is that whatever happens in court tomorrow, Udecott will not seek to stay the proceedings.”
Earlier, Conrad Enill, Minister of Energy and chairman of the ruling People’s National Movement, had sounded bewildered over the use of taxpayers’ funds to challenge the commission. For his part, Maharaj insists that the Government “must stop giving work” to Udecott while the probe remained open-ended. Dr Keith Rowley, sacked former line minister of Udecott, has spoken of “serious implications” as a result of the court’s decision.
Justice Mira Dean Armour ordered on Friday that the Uff Commission of Enquiry hold its hand on its report until February. It was a temporary order that resulted from an “amicable agreement” among stakeholders. Udecott had gone to court to challenge the commission, on the grounds of alleged bias.
Ramesh is quite right in
Ramesh is quite right in what he is saying. And these are the very same points we have been making all along.
Ramesh is a good organiser and in the national interest can come together with other high profile concerned persons and start mobilising the population to demonstrate against this monster of UDECOTT and other sins being perpetrated against the country.
Hart & co. should have been fired long ago and debarred from the company's premises to prevent destruction of vital evidence. I won't be surprised if they haven't been sanitising the files and planning their escape all along having been alerted all this time.
But even if the present Board is fired, can the Government be trusted to replace them with persons of suitable competence and credibility and integrity?
Is it necessary to continue with UDECOTT or can the company be dissolved and the ongoing projects be undertaken by other individual companies?
These companies can be transparently awarded contracts that include essential clauses to guarantee such items as quality of work, keeping within budgets, implementation within prescribed timeframes and so on. Of course, you will need competent Agencies to constantly monitor that the contractors are scrupulously observing their commitments.
The contracts must also include provisions for some reasonable degree of flexibility and balance for cases of unforseen circumstances, but not for abuse, and appropriate sanctions for non-compliance of either party, with named Institutions for arbitration or adjudication of any disputes arising.
Surely our real community leaders with imagination can put aside partisan interests and come up with some ideas and solutions to this and the many other ills facing our country.
Prince, look If you bout it,
Prince, look If you bout it, come play with ryan, I don’t think you ready. No other game lock them up now. No talk.
SCANDALOUS, OUTRAGEOUS,
SCANDALOUS, OUTRAGEOUS, UNPARLIMENTARY -
The AG comes to the Senate says the government does not want the proceedings to stop proposes bill to resolve problems. He gives the assurance that UDECOTT will stop court proceedings. UDECUTT does not stop court proceedings. When asked how UDECOTT is still proceeding he now says to ask the line Minister. Did he wilfully mislead parliament? Did UDECOTT lawyers mislead him? Has UDECOTT been misleading the country all along?
DIVIDED OPPOSITION
DIVIDED OPPOSITION -
The only reason that the government can trample on our constitution like this is because of a divided opposition.
UNC, COP and RAMJACK saying the same thing, so they can't unite even when they agree on an issue. They just fighting for fighting sake. Party before country.
Polarized or paralyzed, the
Polarized or paralyzed, the Oppostion appears as 'toothless' as the proverbial bulldog at the present moment.
Fairplay, you're right. But the Constitution confers a whole lot of power onto a TT Prime Minister. Namely, he/she has the powers of direct appointment / choice: The President of TT, Gov't Senators, Cabinet members, Diplomatic heads, Statutory and State Boards, 'neo' quasi-state boards / companies('special purposes') such as CPEP,UDECOTT, PSAEL, EFCL etc. Then, he/she has powers of veto of appointment: The Chief Justice; Service Commission members (Integrity, police,teaching,public service); Police, Prison, Fire chiefs; Director of Public Prosecutions. Added to the fact he's the Head of Cabinet, he can hire and fire Cabinet memebers as he pleases, or even put them in the 'doghouse'(anyone say 'Rotweiler'?). With total deference to all of them, do you think any Cabinet member in this 'guava season' (except for Rowley, Ramesh, Ralph, Trevor) will stick their neck out and say to a PM: 'I don't agree with you and I'll vote against your policy in Parliament?'
On top of all this constitutional power and authority, a PM in TT weilds trememdous political power. He's head of his Political Party, or in the case of a coalition, the head of a party of parties. He weilds tremendous power over the masses. A PM, therefore, virtually controls the country single - handedly for the duration of his / her prime ministership.
The Parliamentary Opposition, on the other hand, whether united or not, has virtually no power, except perhaps to raise matters in Parliament under the control and direction of the Speaker, or they can mobilize people to take action of one kind or another, or make direct representation for some amenity or the other. The non-parliamentary opposition have virtually no power except for 'people power'.
'People power' has been proven to be the highest and most potent form of power, insofar as removing and/or appointing a country's leaders.
However, if the masses are satisfied as they seem to be, or for some reason paralyzed, as it appears we all are, or polarized, as the opposition forces certainly are, then a PM can wield all the de jure power and authority under his wings with impunity.
And 'not a damn dog bark'!!!
ajfyzabadbutlertown
U are so correct.
U are so correct.
I AGREE WHOLEHARTEDLY
I AGREE WHOLEHARTEDLY -
I agree but on top of that they giving him more power by diluting the little that they have.
My fyzabadbutletrtown friend
My fyzabadbutletrtown friend I will not allow you to walk away with the impression that "not a damn dog bark" defeatist attitude. At least not under my watch, Sir! What do you think we are doing here almost every day .. we are raising hell, and demanding accountability, transparency and ethics from our government in power in our attempt to rescue our country, from the creeping 'dictatorship' that;s knocking on our front doors.
At the same time we are not giving the fragmented opposition a free ride either, whether they are "polarized or paralyzed" or "toothless at present". They have unwittingly given their full support to this gov't to indulge in violations, whether they realise it or not. And they too must experience the wrath of our vengeance. (bloggers:- pls do not quote the scriptures to me on this one!)
Us bloggers have a lot of power and we must continue to use it wisely. The powerss that may be onare paying attention, and little by little we are making a difference. You will have to take my word on it.
I will not go into the details of this UDeCOTT 'operation of shame' and the evil shadow it has cast upon my people. We have allowed this Prime Minister and his gang of roving insiders and Mr. Caulder Hart to trample upon us and attempt to silence us in the process. But we will have none of it, anymore.
Mr. Ramesh Maharaj has presented his message in a clear and concise manner. He is an intelligent and astute politician and we can rely upon him in this instance for guiding us in the right direction. Yes, I do know that he has indulged in some unquestinable behaviour in the past; and I hope he has learned a valuable lesson in life. But we are mature enought to rise above that and listen to his voice of reason now.
We have followed the details of this case from the very beginning, questioning and researching and also putting forward our intelligent viewpoints, at least most of us. We are more informed and up-to-date than most out in the public sphere, especially those who have resorted to following blindly a leader who is taking us down the dangerous path of 'no-return'.
If there is a right time to make a difference, now is the time. The hierarchy is in disarray and are caught between a rock and a hard place; between 'La Fantasie and Cuba'; between 'North Korea and Iran'. If we are to see any changes taking place we have to do the back-breaking work now and force this gov't to do the right thing.
Mr. Maharaj, Mr. Rowley and other prominent, intelligent and educated citizens of T&T are stepping foward to voice their concerns and demand accountability. We are in good company - marching with the best troops.
"People power has proven to be the highest and most potent form of power" to quote you my friend, and we cannot simply cast this knowledge aside and give up.
When we look on the world stage we will see countries such as Iran with it's lack of democracy and freedoms we have to compare ourselves with them. Some may ask why is this important to us. I will try to explain. Iran is held 'hostage' by one man, their President Ahamadinajad and so too we in T&T by Mr. Patrick Manning. They both have 'absolute power' in their hands and abusing it to the detriment of the people. Iranians do not have freedoms as we in T&T, and they have shown their objections to what is going on in their country. We here still have our democracy and free speech - to be used with the utmost responsibility, We must use it or if we are not careful we will loose it.
The international media have been reporting and commenting on Iran and are of the opinion that the time is getting closer for positive change, but the pressure must be kept up by the Iranians and the international bodies who are keeping a close eye on Iran. We can follow this example as it is reflective of what is going on in T&T.
I ask that we all, La Diva, The Prince, Frzabadbutler, Fairplay, Desmond, etc. (you know who you are ... pls fill in the blanks), keep questioning and putting forward our assessments and opinios, never giving up. We have the power at our fingertips to send our sincere messages to our 'violators' and those who 'misbehave in public office' that we will hold them accountable, and will seal the deal in the not too distrant future; and they will never be able to say to us "not a damn dog bark" because we will bark, until there is no barking left is us.
I do not need to remind you of 'people power', nor do I have to repeat that we as a people in T&T are educated, intelligent, street smart and possess high ethical values which we will not hesitate to draw upon if and when the time is right...
Keep those fingers on the keyboard well conected to the brain.
Have a nice day, your friend and blogger,
Gardenia
Gardenia, that's what I call
Gardenia, that's what I call reading the riot act. One not to be trifled with, takes no prisoners, gives no quarter, begs no quarter. Hope nobody put anything in the tea.
But I do agree with you; we cannnot be defeatist or fatalistic. I am happy to see that you continue to rally the troops, leading from the front, as usual a General in full battle cry. I can just see you out there mounted on your white steed, sword in hand cutting a fine figure as you smite your way through the enemy lines.
Hope you don't mind me conjuring up in my mind this swashbuckling imagery of a Burt Lancaster one of my old movie heroes.
See why I continue to propose you for the high office?
Hey Mister! - You having
Hey Mister! -
You having fun at my expense.
Go ahead, there is always pay-back time. So watch out.
I carry my own thermos.
I got on the system late in the day, and when I read the comments I could sense the weariness and confusion. Our people know what they have to do, but I don't believe we had that conditioning to stand up and fight for our rights .. We have to learn from scratch .. and anything new is scarry, intimidating and stressful. We have to give that little push from time to time. But we do need to move now, before it is too late.
I know what I am talking about because I was such a quiet little lady, never wanted to ruffle anyone's feathers. I had to learn the hard way, and it took a lot of work and time, and I got encouragement from people I never though would come to my rescue.
Remember this:- They may say NO ... So what? - You have heard NO before ...
but, they just might say YES.
In the words of Clevon Raphael "Are we a people lacking in courage?" Don't think so.
We have the courage, because we have made it this far ... cannot allow it to fall apart now.
Gardenia
Hey Lady! What ever gave you
Hey Lady! What ever gave you the idea that I was having fun at our Generalissimo Caesar's expense? Please do not misread what you read:
"Cowards die many times before their deaths; The valiant never taste of death but once.
Of all the wonders that I yet have heard, it seems to me most strange that men should fear;
seeing that death, a necessary end, will come when it will come." (Julius Caesar Act II, Scene II)
Lead on; we shall follow.
"Live as brave men; and if fortune is adverse, front its blows with brave hearts." (Cicero).
We await thy clarion call and thy marching orders ready to do battle with the foe with lance in hand and the valour of Don Quijote. Onward, ho!
The Prince
Gardenia, my valued cyber
Gardenia, my valued cyber friend, I appreciate the gentle pat on the head. Sometimes my bark may be worse than my bite. It's really difficult to chew on how a 'master' could treat his 'pets' like dogs and we just take it so easy and come back another day for a 'doggie, look a bone' without so much as a howl or a yelp. It really hurts to see a once proud nation going gradually to the dogs, without as much as a whimper from the 'madding crowd'. The top dogs in the opposition only seem to be in a perpetual dogfight,taking us all for political footballs (oops, I mixed my metaphors!!).
My intention was not so sound defeatist, but to provoke readers out there to react. Thank you for reacting so wonderfully articulately and coherently, as usual. The quote was from the venerated Grenadian/Trinbagonian icon of a calypsonian, Mighty Sparrow, who was referring to our dearly departed first PM who was well known for his intolerance of lesser mortals. Rumour has it that he constructed a whole suite of doghouses on the whitehall compound. But I don't know if it's true.
And yes, I agree totally that we all, each and everyone on this and other blogs do have a strong voice. There are indeed some powerful scribes on this forum, with divergent views sometimes, and we refuse to be muzzled. The Guardian probably is the leading online 'papers' in TT as far as online postings are concerned.
I always enjoy reading your pieces. So I'll leave you to 'rest up' while we await your very incisive blogs and 'blags' (not my word), gods willing, as soon as your nimble fingers can pound out some more cyberscripts. Have a great one. 'Keep on keeping on.'(Curtis Mayfield).
ajfyzabadbutlertown
Thanks
Thanks ----------------
But I expect you guys to take the lead. O.K.
No mixed messages.
Hope I did not ruffle any feathers.
No doggy bone coming from this direction. Utter respect.
Gardenia, 'frien'', always a
Gardenia, 'frien'', always a pleasure reading from you. I was hoping that you did indeed ruffle some feathers and that the 'pigs' who are feeding off our national trough will listen to all the rational voices of wisdom of so many bloggers here (Gardenia, Prince, Desmond, Ryan4 etc) and not fly away with our patricmon(e)y!
Allyou, leave some for we children and grandchildren, nuh!!
The birds of a feather seem not only to be flocking together, but also feathering their nests. But there's a local saying which says:'Corbeaux does fly high, but he must come down to drink water'. To mix the metaphors again, 'all long rope does have an end'. I'm waiting patiently to hear Prof Uff say 'cric crack, the monkey break he back for a piece ah pommerac!' Time for some coffee to wake out tonight, oui. Blessings.
ajfyzabadbutlertown
Under any other
Under any other circumstance, a Board would be required to resign if allegations such as these were brought forward. I am continuously amazed that Calder Hart has been able to maintain his position on the Board, through all these very serious allegations. He should do the honourable thing and resign, pending the results of the inquiry.
If the Opposition parties could put aside their infighting and band together they could fight this. They are comprised of some highly talented individuals who need to stop being self-serving in their actions, and do what is right for the Country and for the People. Unknown sums of money are being frittered away (allegedly by EDECOTT and also on the inquiry), without any accountability.
Some solidarity amongst the Opposition could go a long way towards progressing this inquiry.
Overall, it's also a case of who works for whom. Does UDECOTT report to the Government, or do they believe it's the reverse? We see a State entity whose actions are more like those of a Private Corporation.
But where is the money
But where is the money going? How is it being badly spent? Who is benefitting? In Europe and USA, money is flagged if it appears in your account. In the USA, its difficult for foreigners and non residents to have accounts, if they do, its open to the IRS and for Europe to European tax authorities: re money laundering. so is the money being drained away somewhere or is it badly spent, so contractors making the money?Where is the corruption and bobol we read about in these and many comments?
...there is no such thing as
...there is no such thing as honor among thieves....
You are well read Zando Lee!
You are well read Zando Lee!
I agree with the comments of
I agree with the comments of all the writers, and humbly suggest that we change the acronym - UDECOTT - to mean Untouchable Deviant Egotistical Calder Outsmarting Trinidadian Taxpayers.
A slight amendment:
A slight amendment: "Trinbagonian" instead of "Trinidadian".
Calder Hart is the 3rd most
Calder Hart is the 3rd most powerful man in "Sweet T&T" . He is the PM's chief minion . The Attorney General, John Jeremie is the chief legal adviser to the govt , the UDeCOTT is a solely owned govt agency and yet , Calder Hart is ignoring the advice of the AG . It therefore , leaves me to conclude that "Sweet T&T' has more dollars than sense .
ATW - Barbados .
Is he really "powerful" or
Is he really "powerful" or just a servant to a powerful master that he always obeys?
J Lindsay
Wiggins, wrong answer. The
Wiggins, wrong answer. The most powerfulest man in Trinidad & Tobago is Calder Hart. He controls the PM, the AG, the Cabinet, Government Senators and some Independent Senators.
Word is he might even be in control in Barbados at all levels and when the T&T Treasury finally runs dry he will be taking his get-rich-quick schemes over there with his model UDCOB. Is this correct?
WHO HIRE
WHO HIRE -
Who hire could fire.
I agree with Gardenia. The
I agree with Gardenia. The effort at trying to keep them accountable must be kept up, even though quite frankly it may feel like you are 'spitting into the wind'.
As well - 'who hire could fire'. It may be that the current Government is there BY the people, but when the voters are sufficiently fed-up (soon enough, when they are no longer a Gov't FOR the people) we will see a change.
As to 'where the money gorne' ? Try the Middle East and the Far East, where there is less accountability and no widespread Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) controls (unless you are a multi-national Corporation).
Did someone say Dubai?
Did someone say Dubai?
Yes - You did - - -
Yes - You did - - - -
High level Arab Delegation to visit T&T for a 2-day visit, effective Oct. 7th.
Got your robe ready? Abu would be generous to loan one.
You might get a gold embossed invitation to mix and mingle with the Arab Sheikhs.
No tainted stuff will be served.
You lucky person,
(Guardian Sept.4th)
Which Abu? Bakr or Dhabi?
Which Abu? Bakr or Dhabi? Beware of Imams bearing robes, they will slap you 47-page affidavits.
My invitation hasn't yet arrived; must be stuck in the traffic and bad weather. Did you get one of those gilt-edged invites? I'm sure the gentleman with the five wives must have at least five by five hijabs to spare one.
And not to worry; they not serving alco in the Imperial Palace on this occasion.
Faripay2 this is what I
Faripay2 this is what I talking about, Ramesh time to take them out. Judgment day is here.
Manning and Hart is getting lock up, what you blogger want to talk about.
You have no debate, Abu stay in jail. What you all want to talk about, address it to ryan.
Jack lock them up now. Ramesh we still talking.