Former executive chairman of the Urban Development Corporation of T&T (Udecott), Calder Hart, has agreed to testify before the Las Alturas Commission of Enquiry via video link.
This was disclosed by the commission's attorney, Jagdeo Singh, yesterday as he responded to what he labeled a “very strange” request by Udecott’s lead attorney Kathryn Denbow for a witness summons to be served on Hart who now lives in Florida.
The disclosure by Singh comes months after questions were raised by commission chairman Mustapha Ibrahim about Hart’s whereabouts and his willingness to testify in the proceedings. Ibrahim had previously referred to Hart as an “important witness.”
Revealing his reluctance to announce Hart's agreement before, Singh explained there was nothing “extraordinary” about it. He added Hart had only recently communicated through his attorney, Tecla Duncan, that he would participate in the enquiry and that arrangements were yet to be finalised.
In response to comments by attorney Justin Phelps that it was “passing strange” to learn of Hart’s sudden willingness to testify only after Udecott had attempted to have the commission invoke its powers and serve a witness summons on Hart, Singh said they had been unwilling to disclose the identity of the witness as he “may be interfered with.”
Denbow also made a similar request for a witness summons to be served on Udecott's former chief operating officer Neelanda Rampaul. Hart resigned from Udecott on March 6, 2010, while Rampaul left on April 31, 2010. In making her applications, Denbow said both Hart and Rampaul deserved a chance to be heard on issues which had arisen during the enquiry.
Attorney Imran Ali later was said to be acting on behalf of Rampaul. Ibrahim is expected to rule on this application today.
Meanwhile, Denbow also filed a formal application challenging the admissibility of a witness statement by retired Commissioner of Valuations, Kenneth Subran on the basis that he was not a witness of fact nor an expert witness who could assist the commission in determining the matters before it.
Responding immediately, Ibrahim pointed out that after having read the witness statement submitted by the eminently qualified Subran, it was decided that he was in a position to advise on land valuation and the transfer of real estate, hence his evidence was most relevant and would be allowed.
Subran is expected to appear before the commission today. The hearing will resume at 9.30 am today.
AT A GLANCE
The commission of enquiry was set up to investigate “the entire process which led to the construction of the Las Alturas Towers at Lady Young Gardens, Morvant, and all other acts, matters or decisions done or undertaken incidental to and including the construction” of the project, which include the procurement process.
Two multi-storey units of the Las Alturas housing project began falling apart after construction and the $26 million towers were earmarked for demolition. They were part of a larger project, which was originally budgeted at $65 million and then rose to $90 million. The commission is chaired by former Justice of Appeal Mustapha Ibrahim.
The other members include civil engineers Dr Myron Wing-Sang Chin and Anthony Farrell. Attorney Laraine Lutchmedial is the secretary. They were appointed by President Anthony Carmona in December 2014.