Caroni Central MP Arnold Ram has alleged that the recent arson attack at HSM Motors in Chase Village was sparked by a dispute over “contracts at a Land Settlement Agency” and a “fight” between two senior Government officials.
Ram made the allegations at Monday’s UNC Cottage meeting in Enterprise. He referred to last week’s incident, where a group of men set fire to 15 luxury vehicles at HSM.
Ram alleged that Government officials’ “families, friends and financiers are literally fighting each other for contracts, as they know their time in office will be short-lived”.
Ram alleged, “We’re now hearing numerous rumours of what actually took place at the arson attack at HSM. It has to with awards of contract or the non-award or the cancellation of contracts at a Land Settlement Agency.”
Ram expressed concern about contracts awarded and the extension of contracts awarded between 2016 to 2017, including for grass-cutting being extended to December 2024.
Ram alleged two family-owned companies were the subject of a TTPS Special Branch report which was being investigated by the Financial Intelligence Bureau. Ram called on the Police Commissioner to give the status of the investigation, which began under her predecessor.
So far, police investigators have not revealed the motive for the arson attack at HSM and they are combing through CCTV footage to help identify the suspects.
Meanwhile, Caroni East MP Dr Rishad Seecheran also lamented the state of crime in his Caroni East constituency, including the recent incident where Aqui Persad, of Welcome Road, Cunupia, was killed during a home invasion.
Seecheran claimed the TTPS was under-resourced, Police Commissioner Erla Harewood-Christopher didn’t know if she was coming or going and the Prime Minister was on vacation while crime had T&T in its grip.
St Augustine MP Khadijah Ameen also called on Government to bring independent observers for the upcoming general elections.
Meanwhile, UNC leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar explained that because of the Eid-ul-Fitr public holiday today, time to submit nominations at the party’s head office in Chaguanas would be extended to 6 pm tomorrow—Thursday—when nominations close. She warned that a general election is coming.
Ram also weighed in and urged UNC supporters not to be worried by those who wanted to see the party divided and to create “jhanjat”. He said a PNM strategy was to encourage third parties.
“You all remember Team Unity and the Congress of the People? When their backs are against the wall their financiers invest in a third party. That’s why it’s important to stay together united to defeat PNM,” he said.
Persad-Bissessar also noted that UNC Senator Jearlean John might be the party’s candidate to contest the La Horquetta/Talparo seat alhough a final decision was yet to be made.