Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley’s news conference today is to address Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s defence of Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal, who stated that the fresh corruption claims against him in the EMBD court matter are “fabricated” and part of a racist strategy to campaign in the general election, alleging that “all them Indian is thief.”
The Prime Minister lambasted Persad-Bissessar and sent a message to the nation, particularly to East Indians, saying: “You have nothing to fear from the rest of the population. The law will determine who is police and who is thief. This is a particularly offensive comment by Mrs Kamla Persad-Bissessar”.
Speaking at a news conference at Whitehall, Port of Spain, he stated that contrary to Persad-Bissessar’s claims, this matter has nothing to do with the People’s National Movement (PNM) or the elections.
He criticised Persad-Bissessar and Moonilal for attempting to portray this as a PNM matter when previous attempts to have the case thrown out of court had failed.
He noted that EMBD took the matter to court on behalf of taxpayers in April 2017 and that today’s developments are in relation to this case and have nothing to do with the PNM.
The Prime Minister stated that he had intended to fly to Tobago this afternoon to spend the weekend but decided he could not do so until he responded to the front-page Express headline “Racist Election Plot,” which reported Persad-Bissessar defending Moonilal in the EMBD case, claiming it was PNM propaganda and part of a racist strategy to campaign in the general election, alleging that “all them Indian is thief.”
Persad-Bissessar had told this to the Express on Thursday when asked about fresh allegations of corruption and financial impropriety brought by the EMBD in a civil claim against a group of contractors and Moonilal.
Moonilal himself dismissed the fresh allegations as “cock and bull.”
Rowley stated that he was not aware of the court matter that took place on Tuesday and made it clear that he does not intend to engage in sub judice or attempt to “try” the case in public.
However, he said there are “certain facts” he must provide in the context of the Express headline.
Rowley read the comments made by Persad-Bissessar and Moonilal, stating: “Ladies and gentlemen, this is a very serious matter because who are these two people who can so flippantly and hopefully dismiss court proceedings in the following way?”
The Prime Minister then provided details and timelines concerning the awarding of multimillion-dollar contracts by EMBD under Persad-Bissessar’s government, as well as the court action taken by EMBD under his administration.
Rowley noted that during Persad-Bissessar’s tenure as Prime Minister, Parliament was dissolved on 17 June 2015, and the election was held on 7 September 2015.
He presented information from Cabinet minutes showing that millions in contracts were awarded even after Parliament was dissolved.
He stated that a Cabinet note was brought in July 2015, seeking approval for $400 million from First Citizens Bank (FCB) for EMBD for the upgrade and development of 10 existing former Caroni ancillary bypass roads.
Rowley noted that the UNC lost the election in 2015, and when his government took office, EMBD, under a new board, faced claims for huge sums concerning these works.
He stated that the new EMBD board had reason to be concerned about these payment requests and took the matter to court.
He highlighted the claims made by contractors, amounting to millions of dollars, against the EMBD in 2017.
Rowley said EMBD filed a complaint with the court, alleging that these individuals colluded with other persons, including a former government minister and former EMBD officials, in an unlawful conspiracy that led to the awarding of 12 contracts and the payment of $300 million for defective and overpriced work.
He stated that this case was brought forward by a state enterprise on behalf of taxpayers.
“So anybody who you hear calling that a hoax or a cock and bull story or whatever else, that is the fact, that is the subject that has gone before our court,” he said.
Rowley also criticised Persad-Bissessar, saying this kind of normalisation of criminal conduct has to stop, and this is why he is taking umbrage with her for providing “cover” to someone who has questions to answer.
He said those who find themselves before the Courts must let the law take its course.