Tewarie recommends: Keep CDA chairman, fire rest of board

Cabinet is expected to consider a recommendation by Planning Minister Dr Bhoendradatt Tewarie to retain Daniel Solomon as chairman of the Chaguaramas Development Authority (CDA), while all other members are to be removed. Tewarie made the proposal during Tuesday’s marathon meeting of the inter-ministerial committee on state boards  summoned by the Prime Minister at the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann’s.

Tewarie said last Tuesday that the board should be changed after the Sunday Guardian reported the phone records of one of its journalists were leaked to the CDA. He said there had been misinformation on some of the issues relating to the CDA.

The T&T Guardian was also told that the meeting heard of a recommendation to change the entire National Agricultural Marketing and Development Corporation (Namdevco) board. There have been allegations of unfair hiring practices at Namdevco and the board is being investigated by the Integrity Commission.

Cabinet will also consider a recommendation from Food Production Minister Devant Maharaj to have the entire board changed. The T&T Guardian was told Brandon Bainey is being proposed as the new chairman. Government MPs also met at the same venue yesterday to strategise for tomorrow’s motion of censure against Attorney General Anand Ramlogan for his handling of the Section 34 fiasco. The meeting ended shortly before midnight on Tuesday.

Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley filed the motion and debate is scheduled to begin in the House of Representatives shortly after 1.30 tomorrow at Tower D, International Waterfront Complex, Port-of-Spain.

Rowley spent the greater part of yesterday, his 63rd birthday, preparing his presentation of the motion. Rowley had no time for cake and ice cream, sources close to him said, as he was also preparing for the People’s National Movement’s convention, which takes place this weekend at the Queen’s Park Savannah,  Port-of-Spain.

Leader of Government Business in the House of Representatives Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal has agreed for the Parliament to meet until the conclusion of the debate. This means the sitting may run into the early hours of Saturday morning.

PNM Whip Marlene McDonald said all 11 Opposition MPs are expected to contribute to the debate. San Fernando East MP Patrick Manning, who is recovering from a stroke he suffered in January, has been given extended leave until December.

McDonald said while the Opposition did not have the required number of MPs to win the debate, her colleagues would take the opportunity to ensure the public was told of the lack of good governance under the People’s Partnership Governmnent.

The Government will use the debate to defend Ramlogan’s performance as AG over the past 28 months.