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RASC wrote:. . .Now it just seems as if they have blown up recently and are in every single project known to man locally. . .
Rory Phoulorie wrote:RASC wrote:. . .Now it just seems as if they have blown up recently and are in every single project known to man locally. . .
SIS was a nobody in 1996 and by 2001 was one of the biggest contractors in the country. By 2008, they had equipment not even JSCL or Coosal's had. They did not blow up recently as you seem to think. Their affairs have only recently come out when the relationship between SIS and Jack Warner began to sour. SIS has been wheeling and dealing with the politicians a long time now.
I don't know why those investigative reporters don't go and investigate the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure's Programme for Upgrading Road Efficiency (PURE). People want to see corruption? People want to topple the UNC? They should start there. Yes UML, PURE was started under the PNM administration for the same purpose.
He said Pure, a specialised unit that emerged out of the restructuring of the Highway Division in 2012, has saved his ministry an estimated $250 million which could be used to build 20 other bridges.
http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2014-06- ... -save-250m
kaylex wrote:I know of SIS before 2010. They were involved in the energy industry. We must admit however, SIS is a preferred contractor to the PP... they have been involved in alot of projects... they even involved in the importation of buses from Brazil for the PTSC. SIS grew exponentially since PP ccame in....
Its more a conflict of interest than anything.. After it was in the public domain that they built the PM's house as well as minority leader in THA elections house...
SIS playing the politics game big... too big to be transparent....
UML wrote:Rory Phoulorie wrote:I don't know why those investigative reporters don't go and investigate the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure's Programme for Upgrading Road Efficiency (PURE). People want to see corruption? People want to topple the UNC? They should start there. Yes UML, PURE was started under the PNM administration for the same purpose.He said Pure, a specialised unit that emerged out of the restructuring of the Highway Division in 2012, has saved his ministry an estimated $250 million which could be used to build 20 other bridges.
http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2014-06- ... -save-250m
not from what i read here.
Guess the PP can boast of this Achievement/Corruption
The PURE (Programme for Upgrading Roads Efficiency) Unit a specialised unit of the Ministry of Works and Transport that emerged out of a restructuring of the Ministry’s Highway Division in 2002.
UML wrote:so what will people say about Blue Waters owning Chuck E Cheeses
or Neal and Massy owning HiLo?
Dizzy28 wrote:UML wrote:so what will people say about Blue Waters owning Chuck E Cheeses
or Neal and Massy owning HiLo?
Well for starters it is well know that the PM has a series of Xmas events requiring toys for kids and food items for making hampers for adults
UML wrote:Dizzy28 wrote:UML wrote:so what will people say about Blue Waters owning Chuck E Cheeses
or Neal and Massy owning HiLo?
Well for starters it is well know that the PM has a series of Xmas events requiring toys for kids and food items for making hampers for adults
so Hilo JTA Raj Mini Mart in corruption? Cause they buy stuff to stock these hampers? Other toy stores corrupt for selling govt gifts?
Chuck e Cheeses corrupt because the children would play there?
steups
Wah bout that PNM man (mp/senator?) who own Trinre selling the pnm govt insurance?
Dizzy28 wrote:UML wrote:Dizzy28 wrote:UML wrote:so what will people say about Blue Waters owning Chuck E Cheeses
or Neal and Massy owning HiLo?
Well for starters it is well know that the PM has a series of Xmas events requiring toys for kids and food items for making hampers for adults
so Hilo JTA Raj Mini Mart in corruption? Cause they buy stuff to stock these hampers? Other toy stores corrupt for selling govt gifts?
Chuck e Cheeses corrupt because the children would play there?
steups
Wah bout that PNM man (mp/senator?) who own Trinre selling the pnm govt insurance?
Real froth over a simple question. And even if PNM did it too don't make it right for this Govnt to do it.
But hey that's the mantra they have been living for the past 4 years.
Three months late and $3.8 million over budget
Written by Kinnesha George
The newly refurbished official residence of the Chief Secretary The newly refurbished official residence of the Chief Secretary
WORK to refurbish the official residence of the Tobago House of Assembly’s (THA) Chief Secretary has cost taxpayers $5 million.
The announcement was made by the THA Secretary for the Division of Infrastructure and Public Utilities (DIPU), Gary Melville, who says Orville London and his family have now moved back into the property at Lowlands.
Melville admits that “there was a bit of a delay” with the refurbishment project, which was originally supposed to cost $1.2 million.
“We’d anticipated for that project to be finished in April, but there were some significant changes to the scope,” he stated.
Work on the residence, which was originally built as a single family home in the early 1950s, and is maintained by the DIPU, started last November.
“The project at first was supposed to be a renovation that would have addressed a number of deficiencies on the property, but when the demolition process started, it was recognised that there were some other structure issues,” explains Melville.
He says because the DIPU is “a responsible Division”, the scope of the work expanded which included additional structure work such as rewiring, plumbing and sewerage work, as well as the expansion of living spaces such as the master bedroom and kitchen. This additional work increased the cost.
“The work that was done would have definitely been more than what was initially anticipated as there were other aspects added to the work including a swimming pool. The whole property has been rewired, new waterlines and fittings have been installed, and the entire sewerage system has been redone. Certain areas of the building have also been extended and the original budget had to be increased to $5 million,” states Melville.
Speaking following his move into the newly built residence, Orville London says, “It’s a vast improvement on what existed before. It is now adequate for any Chief Secretary who is likely to occupy it in the future.”
Before London and his family originally moved into the official residence on June 1, 2003, renovations were undertaken at a cost of $4.1 million. The Hochoy Charles led Administration spent $3.5 million, although he didn’t live at the residence, while a further $600,000 was spent by the London led Administration.
Since the start of work, London and his family have been residing at Villa #81 at Tobago Plantations. The issue of the $45,000 monthly rent caused much public criticism in Tobago, with some individuals declaring that the rent was too exorbitant.
There were also concerns about why the official residence had been allowed to deteriorate into such a state of disrepair, especially as the DIPU is responsible for maintenance.
Prior to the start of the current refurbishment works, members of the media were allowed to tour the official residence. Problems included drainage and leaks and cracks in the walls and floor. The residence, which was bought by the Ministry of Tobago Affairs in the 1950s, was previously occupied by former Chairman of the THA, Lennox Denoon.
http://www.thetobagonews.com/news/item/ ... ver-budget
$45,000 rent a ‘good deal’ for THA
...says villa owner, but London’s new home sparks controversy
By Irene Medina Associate Editor
Story Created: Nov 13, 2013 at 11:19 PM ECT
Story Updated: Nov 14, 2013 at 10:39 AM ECT
The Trinidad businessman who is renting his Tobago Plantations villa to Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Chief Secretary Orville London at a cost of $45,000 a month said yesterday the THA was getting a “good deal”.
Pradeep Harricharan, a manager at International Marketing in Century Drive, Trincity, said the regular cost for a one-night stay at the villa, located on 20,000 square feet of land in Lowlands, is $3,500.
“You work it out…this means in one month, I can make over $90,000. But it is not every night that I would have rented it out, so the negotiated cost for a month is $45,000,” he said.
This means the THA would be paying approximately $270,000 for London and his family to stay at the villa while renovations continue at the Chief Secretary’s residence in Hampden, Lowlands.
But even as some in Tobago believe this figure is too exorbitant and taxpayers should not have to foot the bill for London’s temporary home, Harricharan told the Express, “I don’t know what is all the fuss about. I would make more if I rented it out every night. I am not gaining anything except perhaps the hassle of dealing with several clients over the next six months.”
He added that any security measures which the Chief Secretary puts in place at the villa will go when London goes.
“Mr Orville London has to have his own security, so he is putting up a temporary fence but that goes when he goes. The security booth that he is building will also come down when he leaves the property,” Harricharan added.
The Tobago News, which first reported London’s new living arrangement, stated in a follow-up article that workers from the Division of Infrastructure and Public Utilities are constructing a perimeter fence around the property in Tobago Plantations, as well as a security booth, in addition to other safety measures.
While the division was unable to state how much money is being spent on these improvements, as work is still ongoing, the security arrangements are an additional cost to the total rental fees.
London was expected to take up residence at his temporary quarters on November 1, but security measures must be completed before he does so, the Express has learned.
The condo village is part of a sprawling 36-unit development, with each comprising two apartments. There are three swimming pools on the grounds, as well as restaurants, gym, therapy rooms, hair salons, shops and a golf course.
In defence of its decision to rent a villa for London, THA chief administrator Dr Ellis Burris, in an exclusive interview with the Tobago News, questioned why anyone would not want the Chief Secretary to be housed in a comfortable environment.
“We have a situation where if the Chief Secretary is hosting a public official at his residence, if it rains, persons can be soaked in the rain in the porch area. This does not augur well to the post of chief secretary,” Burris said.
Burris called on Tobagonians to be futuristic in their thinking.
“In Trinidad, thousands of dollars are spent to house public officials while in Tobago, we must be happy with a leaking roof for the head of Tobago; should Tobagonians accept this?”
He explained that citizens must be aware the Chief Secretary will not be the same in the next ten to 20 years and, therefore, whatever systems are put in place now would also benefit those to follow.
He insisted everything should be done to have a suitable headquarters for the Chief Secretary of Tobago, adding the office must be respected.
In an earlier article on the issue in the Express, administrative officer for property management Herbert Delancy explained the decision to enter a lease rental arrangement to provide accommodation for the Chief Secretary was above board and did not contravene the tenets of Circular No 4 issued by the Salaries Review Commission (SRC), which outlines the remuneration arrangement for holders of public offices.
Delancy provided the Express with a two-page document on the matter, in which he quoted the SRC circular as clearly stating that as it applies to Chief Secretary, the “official residence (is) to be maintained by the Assembly, (and) where the official residence is not available for occupation and appropriate alternative arrangements for official accommodation are not established, an allowance of ten thousand, three hundred dollars ($10,300) per month to be payable”.
This sum quoted applies only if no alternative arrangements are established.
The official building suffered damage during a series of earthquakes in the early 1990s, and piecemeal repairs were carried out during the period 1994 to 2002. In spite of this, the building still lacks minimum standards benefitting this level of office, Delancy stated.
The Express learned despite the fact London began living at the official residence in 2003, there were cracks in the wall, leaks, sewer problems and general disrepair.
According to the THA, the director of Occupational Safety and Health and the Division of Infrastructure and Public Utilities reported major flaws, both in the design and physical condition of the building, deeming it unsafe.
But some in Tobago are questioning this and have pointed out the Chief Secretary’s residence was rebuilt by former chief secretary Hochoy Charles some 13 years ago before London took up residence there.
Charles could not be reached for comment.
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/450 ... 39931.html
Halfbreed07 wrote:EBeam Interact was registered on August 9, 2007, by attorney Allison Eustace Luther Roberts, of Roberts and Company. He is the father of former sport minister Anil Roberts. The directors of the company are Daniell and Gloria Kirton. On March 8, 2013, the SporTT company had a board meeting in the Giselle Salandy Room of its offices at Henry Street, Port of Spain.
Among the issues discussed was the contract to EBeam.
The board minutes stated: “The board ratified the decision made on 6th December 2012 to award the contract for the numeracy and literacy components of the LifeSport programme to eBeam Interact Limited in the sum of TT$34 million based on the fact, among other things, that the recommendation was made by the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Sport (Ashwin Creed) to the CEO of SporTT (then John Mollenthiel).
Eteck wins $30M lawsuit
By SEAN DOUGLAS Wednesday, August 13 2014
THE APPEAL COURT has ruled that it is not too late (under the Limitation Act) to seek compensation from former eTeck directors blamed for a $30 million loss in a shoddy investment.
Attorney General, Anand Ramlogan, disclosed the news as he briefed journalists on the ruling at a news conference at his Cabildo Chambers office yesterday.
He hailed as a victory for accountability last Monday’s ruling by Justices Nolan Bereaux and Maureen Rajnauth-Lee against eight former directors of eTeck — Kenneth Julien, Ulric McNicol, Brian Copeland, Rene Monteil, Eugene Tiah, Sonia Noel, Wendy Fitzwilliam and John Soo Ping Chow.
The appellant’s attorneys were Douglas Mendes SC and John Jeremie SC, leading Michael Quamina and Stuart Young, instructed by Kahaya Nanhu, while the present board of eTeck was represented by attorneys Vincent Nelson QC, leading Gerald Ramdeen, instructed by Varun Debideen.
Ramlogan said the ruling was “a red letter day” that ushers in a new era of corporate governance and that vindicates his decision to pursue the case.
He also said the basis of the ruling — rejecting the argument that it is too late to pursue the claim — was good news for several other claims being pursued under this administration against past boards of directors under the former administration, namely Udecott; University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) and Petrotrin’s former head, Malcolm Jones.
Ramlogan said if the eTeck directors had won their appeal, their argument would have “knocked out” the Government’s position in all three other lawsuits.
The total sum the Government is trying to recover in the four cases against former directors is $2 billion, he noted.
In the eTeck case, Ramlogan said the judges rejected a call by the appellants to create a special exemption from the Limitation Act for State companies. He said the appellants had tried, unsuccessfully, to argue that it is now too late to sue the former directors as any wrongdoing in eTeck should have been known about all along by the then Finance Minister.
Ramlogan said the eTeck former board had acted independently (of parties such as the then Finance Minister), to decide to invest $30 million which had then vanished into thin air.
Ramlogan said the court ruled that only upon a change in government (and ministers) was it likely for the eTeck woes to be discovered, and so the usual four-year limit to sue under the Limitation Act cannot now apply in this case.
http://www.newsday.co.tt/crime_and_court/0,199012.html
RASC wrote:I thought this was this official govt corruption thread?
But he seems to now defending everything corrupt the govt has done?
eliteauto wrote:I'm curious, the Gov't calls a SOE and proceeds to rent a warehouse in Arima under the guise that it will be used to house detainees arrested under the SOE. They spend money to the tune of almost $60M to upgrade the facility to house 400...1000...137 persons (a search of articles will reveal that the number that can be housed changes between the AG, 2 different Commissioners of Prisons and the then MONS). However the CoP has stated it cannot house 400 persons due to "logistical issues" Even the size of the building varies between the AG (4 Acres) and the owner (9.18 acres)
They then rent it to the tune of $850K+VAT since Oct 2011 thus far spending $30M in rent and now are going to purchase it for $230M?
And no one finds that figure questionable?
Dizzy28 wrote:eliteauto wrote:I'm curious, the Gov't calls a SOE and proceeds to rent a warehouse in Arima under the guise that it will be used to house detainees arrested under the SOE. They spend money to the tune of almost $60M to upgrade the facility to house 400...1000...137 persons (a search of articles will reveal that the number that can be housed changes between the AG, 2 different Commissioners of Prisons and the then MONS). However the CoP has stated it cannot house 400 persons due to "logistical issues" Even the size of the building varies between the AG (4 Acres) and the owner (9.18 acres)
They then rent it to the tune of $850K+VAT since Oct 2011 thus far spending $30M in rent and now are going to purchase it for $230M?
And no one finds that figure questionable?
Even if we find it questionable somebody go ups and say what about the building in Alexandra Street PNM rent or the warehouse in Arima Police rent. This cycle of "them do so, we go do so too and blame them for doing it first" mashing T&T up.
UML wrote:Dizzy28 wrote:eliteauto wrote:I'm curious, the Gov't calls a SOE and proceeds to rent a warehouse in Arima under the guise that it will be used to house detainees arrested under the SOE. They spend money to the tune of almost $60M to upgrade the facility to house 400...1000...137 persons (a search of articles will reveal that the number that can be housed changes between the AG, 2 different Commissioners of Prisons and the then MONS). However the CoP has stated it cannot house 400 persons due to "logistical issues" Even the size of the building varies between the AG (4 Acres) and the owner (9.18 acres)
They then rent it to the tune of $850K+VAT since Oct 2011 thus far spending $30M in rent and now are going to purchase it for $230M?
And no one finds that figure questionable?
Even if we find it questionable somebody go ups and say what about the building in Alexandra Street PNM rent or the warehouse in Arima Police rent. This cycle of "them do so, we go do so too and blame them for doing it first" mashing T&T up.
details please
Dizzy28 wrote:UML wrote:Dizzy28 wrote:eliteauto wrote:I'm curious, the Gov't calls a SOE and proceeds to rent a warehouse in Arima under the guise that it will be used to house detainees arrested under the SOE. They spend money to the tune of almost $60M to upgrade the facility to house 400...1000...137 persons (a search of articles will reveal that the number that can be housed changes between the AG, 2 different Commissioners of Prisons and the then MONS). However the CoP has stated it cannot house 400 persons due to "logistical issues" Even the size of the building varies between the AG (4 Acres) and the owner (9.18 acres)
They then rent it to the tune of $850K+VAT since Oct 2011 thus far spending $30M in rent and now are going to purchase it for $230M?
And no one finds that figure questionable?
Even if we find it questionable somebody go ups and say what about the building in Alexandra Street PNM rent or the warehouse in Arima Police rent. This cycle of "them do so, we go do so too and blame them for doing it first" mashing T&T up.
details please
Really?? You of all people could say you don't know about this!!
http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2014-02- ... l-november
Habit7 wrote:Alexander St is not corruption, the govt is not utilizing the bldg while Duke shouting down others for a missing fire extinguisher
