The tendering process in which a family firm belonging to Planning Minister Mary King received a government contract from King's own ministry was "highly inappropriate," Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar indicated yesterday. "The matter was brought to my attention recently after the process had been completed and I made it clear that, on the basis of information provided me, it was highly inappropriate," Persad-Bissessar said.
Persad-Bissessar made her position clear in the issue, distancing herself completely from reported statements by King that the PM had heard about the contract, was given documentation on it and was "very satisfied.""Totally false and definitely untrue!" Persad- Bissessar said when asked about King's claim yesterday.Persad-Bissessar commented on the issue during a visit to Mt Hope Maternity Hospital.This followed reports that a family company of King had won the Government Web site development contract valued almost $100,000 from her own Ministry last November.
Concern has arisen in the Government since King allegedly failed to disclose her family interest in the software engineering company, Ixanos Ltd in which she is a joint shareholder with her husband, St Clair King.King's eldest son, Stephen, is business development manager of the company. Its registered St Augustine address and telephone number are also the same as the minister's own private consulting firm-Mary King and Associates.King, an economist, senator and member of the Congress of the People (COP) is reported to have said that there was no conflict of interest or breach of the law regarding the contract awarded to her family business over 16 other bidders.
King, a former Independent senator, is also reported to have said Persad-Bissessar "had heard about it" and had been given "the whole process, all the documentation and she was very satisfied."King is reported to have said she collected and gave the Prime Minister the documents and records from the ministry and that Persad- Bissessar had got details of the contract. She also said the PM accepted her documentation and "that was the end of it." But speaking to reporters yesterday, Persad- Bissessar deemed King's claim "Totally untrue....!"The PM added, "If it is alleged that I okayed that contract, that is totally false and definitely untrue!"
Persad- Bissessar issued a subsequent media statement reinforcing her concern over the contract.Persad-Bissessar said: "Media reports published, attributed to Planning, Economic and Social Restructuring and Gender Affairs Minister Mary King which state that I as Prime Minister had been informed of the whole tendering process on the Government Web site development contract are entirely and categorically erroneous.""The matter was brought to my attention recently after the process had been completed and I made it clear, that on the basis of the information provided me, it was highly inappropriate."
Persad-Bissessar said she was awaiting a report on the matter at this time."So I may be better informed to make a decision which ensures that the integrity of the Government remains intact."A People's Partnership source said a meeting was expected between the Prime Minister and King, ahead of Tuesday's Senate session where King was expected to be.Earlier yesterday, while visiting San Fernando General Hospital, when asked to comment on the issue, Persad-Bissessar had said she needed to speak to the minister and get more details before commenting.
On whether King sent her any documents, Persad- Bissessar had repeated that she would have to be briefed.King was contacted yesterday about the statements she was reported to have made.But King, who had once been chairman of T&T Transparency Institute (TTTI) said: "I don't want to make any comment."TTTI chairman Richard Joseph yesterday said yesterday that TTTI was concerned about the matter."TTTI urges that an investigation into this matter be promptly completed with an unambiguous statement either clearing the minister's name or indicating that due process will be followed if it is found that there has been a breach of the Integrity in Public Life Act and or any laws or policies governing public procurement," Joseph said.