Minister of the People Dr Glenn Ramadharsingh yesterday welcomed the Integrity Commission’s announcement it would probe allegations levelled against him by Chaguanas West MP Jack Warner during his recent campaign for re-election. Warner, while speaking on his Independent Liberal Party (ILP) platform on July 23, had accused Ramadharsingh of misbehaviour in public office.
Yesterday, the commission, in a media release, announced it had decided to initiate investigations against a Government minister who reportedly acquired six houses when he came into office, an allegation made by Independent Liberal Party (ILP) interim leader Jack Warner while campaigning for the Chaguanas West by-election. The commission said it had taken the initiative to pursue this matter in accordance with the power given it under the Integrity in Public Life Act (IPLA).
It said: “The Integrity Commission in the exercise of its mandate under Section 33 (a) of the Integrity in Public Life Act (IPLA), has taken a decision to initiate an investigation into allegations of corruption made by MP Jack Warner against a Government minister.
“Mr Warner, at a political campaign meeting on July 23, 2013 for the Chaguanas West constituency, made statements alleging that a Government minister had, since becoming a minister, acquired six houses, one of which was received from a contractor, in exchange for that contractor receiving a $36 million contract.
“It was also alleged that ‘a minister of Government allegedly received a house from a businessman in exchange for the businessman having some of his properties rented by the minister’s ministry.’” The commission said in accordance with Section 33 (a) of the IPLA, it may, on its own initiative, consider and enquire into any alleged breaches of the act or any allegations of corrupt or dishonest conduct by persons in public life.
“The commission has decided to pursue this matter. The commission intends to inform the public from time-to-time when it decides to carry out investigations on its own initiative,” it said. Warner, at a political meeting in the run-up to the July 29 Chaguanas West by-election, showed pictures of six houses, which he said was acquired by the Government minister.
Shortly after, Ramadharsingh, his mother Chandra Ramadharsingh and uncle Chandreka Sahadeo denied the allegations and even produced deeds to prove their case. Ramadharsingh subsequently sent a pre-action protocol letter to Warner. In response to the commission’s announcement yesterday, Ramadharsingh again described Warner’s allegations as “baseless.”
The Caroni Central MP, through a media release, said he welcomed any investigation which may be conducted by the commission into allegations that he owned several properties. He said he maintained “that the allegations are baseless and unfounded.” Ramadharsingh, who had threatened to sue Warner over the allegations said he would co-operate with any investigation by the commission.
The release stated that throughout Ramadharsingh’s political life, “he has conducted himself in such a manner which can withstand the highest level of scrutiny and integrity in public life.” Ramadharsingh said he would continue to discharge his duties both as a Member of Parliament and as a Government Minister “diligently, impartially and equitably, always upholding the best standards of good governance.”
—Reporting by Yvonne Baboolal