The commission of enquiry investigating the circumstances that led to the construction of the Las Alturas Towers at Lady Young Road, Morvant, is expected to continue as usual.
The fifth session is expected to begin on September 28 and will end on October 9. The proceedings, which will be chaired by retired Justice Mustapha Ibrahim, will resume at 9.30 am at the Caribbean Court of Justice, Henry Street, Port-of-Spain.
Commission officials yesterday said they did not intend to abandon the enquiry following the change in government. It was recommended by the former prime minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar after concerns were raised about the cost which skyrocketed from $65 million to $90 million.
Key commission officials said they were appointed by President Anthony Carmona on December 2, 2014 and unless instructed otherwise, they would continue to carry out their duties as outlined in the procedural rules.
During a brief interview at Cabildo Chambers, St Vincent Street, Port-of-Spain, yesterday, newly-installed Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi was cautious in his response when questioned about the future of the commission.
Promising he “would have to get the facts on that,” Al-Rawi later met with the ministry’s staff and heads of departments and special units, as part of his first day at the office. Pressed to elaborate, Al-Rawi added: “I would also have to deal with the fact that there may be a perceived conflict of interest, in so far as the last prime minister specifically made certain statements, which of course I don’t agree with, but I must act with propriety in relation to the conduct of that matter.
“I would not want to run afoul of any aspect of a perception of a conflict of interest.”
When contacted about the amount of money that had so far been spent on the enquiry, officials directed that query to the Office of the Prime Minister which they cited as being responsible for payment to the commissioners and attorneys.
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 includes the procurement process.
Two multi-storey units of the Las Alturas housing project began falling apart soon 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.
In September 2014, former prime minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar recommended an enquiry into the project after raising concerns about the two towers which had to be demolished.
At the time, Persad-Bissessar said newly-installed Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, who was a former housing minister under the PNM, as well as Emily Gaynor Dick-Forde, who succeeded him, have distanced themselves from blame.
Rowley said though he welcomed the probe it would be another waste of taxpayers’ dollars.
LEGAL MINDS: The commission’s attorneys include Senior Counsel Pamela Elder and Jagdeo Singh, instructed by Alvin Pariagsingh.
Queen’s Counsel Vincent Nelson and Larry Lalla are appearing for the Housing Development Corporation.
Richard Mason, Jehan Mohammed, Faydia Mohammed and Brendon Sullivan are appearing for the Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago. Vinda Maharaj and Kirt Walrond are appearing on behalf of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.
Justin Phelps and Jerome Herrera, instructed by Anabelle Sooklal, are appearing for Geotech Associates Limited (GA).
Emerson John-Charles is appearing on behalf of Civil Engineering Management and Services (CEMAS) and Steve Kistow Engineering Services.