Attorney General Anand Ramlogan is undertaking a "comprehensive review" of the procedure followed in the award of a Planning Ministry contract to a family company in which Planning Minister Mary King may have an interest.This follows concerns expressed by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar about the award of a $100,000 Planning Ministry contract for website development which was awarded to Ixanos Limited.Persad-Bissessar and Ramlogan confirmed the review yesterday following reports that in the award, King did not disclose her interest in Ixanos Ltd, a family business she jointly owns with her husband.
It also was reported that King had confirmed "participation" in the selection process for the tender evaluation committee which subsequently recommended the award of the contract to Ixanos Ltd.There also are questions about the placement of King's secretary on the committee which subsequently recommended the award of the contract to Ixanos Ltd.King's husband, Professor Dr St Clair King, heads Ixanos Ltd. King is a former UWI engineering lecturer and a former T&TEC chairman under the NAR Government.Speaking to reporters after a Works Ministry function at El Socorro yesterday, Persad-Bissessar said:
"The matter is in the Attorney General's hands, I referred it to him. I await his report."When the matter was brought to my attention, I did ask the minister about it and the minister gave us some documents-that is true. I referred the matter to the AG."Ramlogan said yesterday the matter was referred to him by Persad-Bissessar for advice soon after a meeting between she and King.He said that meeting took place "sometime after the award of the subject contract." Ramlogan added: "The issues raised are of grave and public importance. I therefore intend to expedite review of the relevant documents and circumstances in the shortest possible time frame.
"It is imperative the principles of natural justice be scrupulously observed less the review/enquiry be vitiated by allegations of procedural irregularity and unfairness." Ramlogan did not state when the report would be completed.He was working on the review last night, it was confirmed. But it was uncertain if the report would be ready for Thursday's Cabinet session.Persad-Bissessar said she had not held talks with King on the review of the contract.She said the issue was under review regarding transparency and accountability,"So we'll get his report and find out the legality of the issue or otherwise," she added.
Only silence fromfamily company
There has been continuing silence from the direction of King and her family company. A spokesperson yesterday confirmed Senator Minister King would be attending today's Senate session "as usual."
Ford: Kingmust be fired
PP Government sources said they were awaiting word on the AG's report "as well as any word" from King.They noted the Cabinet realignment announced by the Prime Minister was due in a few weeks.Following PNM senator Mariano Browne's call on Sunday for King to resign, PNM general secretary Ashton Ford yesterday said King must be fired for what appears to be a clear breach of integrity legislation."By her own admission, King had breached Section 29 of the Integrity Act and as such she is not fit to hold office. The Prime Minister must relieve King of her appointment as a minister and senator immediately," Ford said.He said King also breached sections 29 (1) and 29(2) of the act by her further actions in the issue
Calling on the Integrity Commission and DPP to probe the issue and take appropriate action under the law, Ford said the issue was a "clear breach" by King on the code of conduct regarding Integrity in Public Life Act.Ford said Ixanos Ltd was not the lowest bidder and was "awarded the contract under very questionable circumstances."He said the situation had all the distinguishing features of bid-rigging since the a low bidder lost by just half a point on technical grounds "after what appears to be a case of ministerial intervention."Ixanos Ltd submitted a bid of $95,941 among the 17 bids received from local companies for the contract. The company also received an 80 point average-the highest-among a vendor selection review.