Fixin T&T is expressing concern over allegations of misconduct in public office against Housing Minister Marlene McDonald and Udecott chairman Noel Garcia.
“Fixin T&T is deeply concerned by the allegations levelled against Mc Donald and Garcia,” its head Kirk Waithe said in an interview.
“We note Sturge (attorney Wayne Sturge) has sent the information he received to the relevant authorities and look forward to a thorough, efficient and expeditious investigation. We expect the minister and chairman will fully co-operate to facilitate same.”
Waithe made the comment following a concern raised by Sturge on Monday and in other sectors of the public that the pressure group and others like Transparency International had seemed to have gone somewhat quiet over the last three months with the new Government in power.
But Waithe said allegations of that nature cross party lines and have been too many for too long.
“We reiterate our position that the top priority for all of our legislators must be to finally put measures in place to protect our patrimony.
“To this end, the effective implementation of meaningful legislation to govern procurement, campaign financing, party financing and whistle blowing must be realised in the shortest possible time,” he said.
Sturge recently disclosed information of alleged misbehaviour in public office on Mc Donald, People’s National Movement deputy political leader, and Garcia, a party heavyweight, within days of each other.
He referred Mc Donald to the Integrity Commission over allegations that she used her office when she was a minister in a former PNM administration to secure a Housing Development Corporation house for Michael Carew, her partner.
Earlier this week, Sturge showed what he claimed was documentary evidence of over US$20,000 being wired to Garcia’s son, Christian, by contractor Junior Joseph, owner of Pace Construction Services Ltd between 2002 and 2005.
Garcia was head of the HDC around that time and Joseph’s company was the recipient of housing contracts.
Sturge alleged that one contract, originally valued at $165 million, was jacked up to $286 million. He has also referred Garcia to the Integrity Commission.
Several calls to TTTI chairman Deryck Murray went unanswered yesterday.
Contacted for comment on the allegations yesterday, Communications Minister Maxie Cuffie said he would not be commenting because “there is nothing to comment on.”
Yesterday, political analyst Maukesh Basdeo said the Prime Minister would be held accountable by concerned citizens over the allegations.
Basdeo said on the general election campaign trail prior to September 7, Rowley said he would not tolerate wrongdoing in his Government and all office holders would be held accountable for their actions.
He said although the matters involving Mc Donald and Garcia went back some years there was no statute of limitation concerning referrals where the Integrity Commission was concerned.