Although he is out of Government, Independent Liberal Party (ILP) political leader Jack Warner is expected to rejoin deliberations on the controversial San Fernando to Point Fortin Highway today when he meets with residents from along the highway route. Highway Action Committee leader and National Infrastructural Development Company (Nidco) community consultant, Edward Moodie, yesterday confirmed that Warner would feature in a meeting, carded to start at 5 pm at the Debe High School.
In an interview yesterday, Moodie said the meeting comes on the heels of Monday’s heated protest by residents of Debe, Mon Desir and South Oropouche. During their protest action, residents claimed unfair settlement offers by Nidco. They said Nidco officials were going to their homes and forcing them to sign compensation agreements valued at sums as paltry as $50,000.
Moodie, who said he spoke to Warner on Monday, said: “I told him that the people had requested that he meet with them. He said that he is willing to meet with the people and that he is willing to meet with anybody who had issues and hear what their concerns were. “I told him that the people wanted to let him know their concerns and also they wanted to hear his response to what is happening, seeing that he is the one who promised us all those things in the beginning.”
Moodie said Warner, attorney Vashesh Maharaj and himself would address the affected residents and attempt to plan a way forward. Moodie was at first reluctant to name to location for the meeting, fearing that the UNC would find a way to prevent them access to the school. He said: “You know if we go public with this right now the UNC will actually find a way to prevent us from having the meeting, which is what they have been doing all the time with all meetings, so we have to be careful.”
He added: “If it is that the country wants new politics, they are fed up with this racial, tribal nonsense and they want something new, Jack is bringing something new. “Every man heading toward Jack’s party right now but I am not going to tell Jack I want to be part of his party or anything like that.”Responding to questions sent in an e-mail yesterday, Nidco communications manager Ingrid Ishmael said the state body’s procedures in the matter would be able to withstand public scrutiny.
On the issues of corruption in the procedure raised by Moodie on Monday, she said: “Nidco is not aware of any corrupt practices and the company stands by its assertion that our process is transparent and can withstand public scrutiny. “If Mr Moodie has evidence of criminal offences, there are appropriate quarters for these matters to be directed.”
Asked about Moodie’s tenure with the company, she said: “Nidco is unaware of Mr Edward Moodie's expectations. Mr Moodie is on a month-to-month contract as Nidco's community outreach consultant and he has certain responsibilities under his contract and he should be aware of his responsibilities under his contract.”