Sea Lots community leader Cedric “Burkie” Burke yesterday admitted his company - Burke and Company Ltd - has obtained a Housing Development Corporation (HDC) contract at Woodstar Avenue, Bon Air South, under the People’s National Movement Government.
Burke, who was detained in the 2011 state of emergency, charged as being a gang leader and later freed, said he also received several contracts under the then People’s Partnership regime.
“I have never gotten a contract from anybody. I am part of a company. I have two companies ... my companies tender for contracts under all administrations. It does not matter under PNM or who. I work with each and any government that is there. Some contracts we get, some we don’t,” said Burke, whose uninvited attendance to Marlene McDonald’s swearing-in at President’s House last week ultimately led to her latest firing by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley on Sunday.
Burke said he has been operating his businesses legitimately for the past ten years and pays taxes, but could not say how many contracts he had been awarded over the years.
“No I can’t because I did a lot of work. We not only going to Manning and Rowley administration. I did a lot of work under the PP Government in its five years as well.”
Asked what were some of the contracts he was awarded, Burke said to reveal this was not necessary.
“I complete them. I being paid for them, so I don’t think that is part of anything. When the time comes that will be easy to clarify.”
He said to tender for a contract his companies had to go through certain procedures.
“There are certain documents you have to submit, so don’t think for a moment that you could get a contract without submitting these things.”
Asked if Burke and Company Ltd was awarded an HDC contract for the East-based housing project, which is currently under construction, Burke said “yes.” He said his company was one of several contractors involved in the project, but did not specify exactly what were their job specifications and the payment attached.
Last September, Housing Minister Randall Mitchell turned the sod for construction of 60 town houses on five parcels of land in Arouca, which was projected to cost $48 million. At that time, Mitchell said contractors for the project had been evaluated and the HDC would announce the successful contractors.
Yesterday, when told Burke claimed he was one of the contractors involved on the project, Mitchell said he was not aware and advised HDC managing director Brent Lyons be contacted.
Addressing the issue in a text message last night, Lyons confirmed Burke’s company is one of four firms on the Bon Air South housing project.
“The company won a competitive tender for one of four packages tendered,” Lyons wrote.
Lyons could not say when the contract was issued, the scope of works or the value of the contract, but promised to provide the info today.
Yesterday, Burke said while his business was now being roped into the brouhaha, he never approached McDonald for a contract while she served as housing minister. He said he had also not spoken to her since she was fired.
“But she knows my support is there.
As much as the country stating that she was fired because of me, I think she knows what would have really transpired. She knew I had good intentions. I went to support Miss McDonald. That was all it had to it.”
Blaming social media for blowing things out of proportion, Burke said “this pressure is nothing new to me. My children are the ones who paying the price for it now. At the end of the day I teach them to be strong in the face of adversity. All those who saying this and that... let them produce the evidence and go to the police. I don’t understand how I was this big threat to President Carmona. I am yet to see evidence to support that. The last time I check my name was not Bin Laden, nor am I part of Isis.”
