Did the Prime Minister occupy a Tunapuna house at some point after taking office and was it owned by a gang member?PNM Senator Fitzgerald Hinds raised questions about the house, possible occupation by the PM and the property's owner during yesterday's Senate session.But Hinds failed to get Government to shed any light on any of the aspects."The country wants to know and they'll find out," Hinds warned Government during the session.Hinds had proposed questions on the issue on yesterday's Senate agenda.
He had called for Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to say if she was in occupation of a house used as her official residence at Pasea Road, Tunapuna, and if so for what period.Hinds called for identification of the owner of the property at the time of occupation and for Government to say if the house was being guarded by any element of the state security forces and which one, if so.Hinds also called for Government to say if the occupation was paid for by the State and, if so, what the monthly and total cost of such occupation was.Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Colin Partap's sole reply to all of the questions was:
"There is only one official residence of the Prime Minister and that is at La Fantasie, St Ann's."Hinds protested that Partap's reply was incorrect and was "obfuscation of the highest order."Leader of Government Senate business, Subhas Panday, insisted the question had been answered. He also said there was only one official residence.But Hinds said despite the single official residence at St Ann's, the Opposition was aware the Prime Minister occupied the Pasea Road, Tunapuna, house after she assumed office.Panday asked: "Where did the information come from?"Hinds put the issue in the hands of acting Senate President Lyndira Oudit.Panday advised from the sidelines: "Drop him (Hinds) on the ground!"Oudit then said it was not her place to say whether the question was answered correctly. She said Hinds was free to file another question on the issue.
Hinds did not give up on the issue. During later debate on a report concerning anti-gang legislation and the bail amendment bill, Hinds continued accusing Government of obfuscation in the issue.He said it was possible the owner of the Tunapuna house could be a gang member.Hinds, however, was halted by Government Senator David Abdulah and Panday.When Hinds was advised by Oudit to move on, he said: "The country wants to know and they'll find out."Hinds said the SIA had kept records of gangs on file. "Suppose one of the house's owner is on that list?" he asked.Later in debate Hinds added: "I'm determined to find out who is the owner of that house."