The simple truth is that the Armstrong Committee has identified several deficiencies in the planning process leading up to the construction of the Highway.It was as a consequence of this historic and unprecedented convention of almost two dozen experts convened to study the most-costly piece of infrastructure to date, that the playing field has been extended beyond the its original boundaries.
The fact that eight days past the point at which the Government was to have submitted a detailed list of their "consideration" of the Armstrong Report, is indicative of an unwillingness to engage in the accountability that this country needs.The country must now reboot its thinking with respect to this project.
Whilst Mr Raymond has clarified the issues raised with respect to the selection process he has also asserted that the Government did not produce the OAS contract for the scrutiny of the Armstrong Committee.More disturbing is the contention that this document was not forthcoming during the court proceedings, which to my mind, would indicate a flawed judgment handed down by the courts.
Mr Raymond has also correctly pointed out that in the absence of the contract no commercial considerations could have been entertained, which points to another area in this ever-widening playing field which the country needs to focus on, and that is the issue of transparency in the conduct of the public's affairs.Whilst the issues for the HRM remain focussed on the environment and the relocation of the residents, the country needs to focus on getting to the truth of the matter.
Satu-Ann Ramcharan
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