ILP interim leader Jack Warner is calling for an investigation into a government minister who he said bought a house in Hamilton, Canada for $800,000 (Canadian dollars) and a BMW for his daughter to attend McMaster University in Hamilton, in less than three years.
Warner said all of this was done on just a minister's salary. He was addressing ILP supporters who came from across T&Tand gathered in the muddy savannah at the Marchin Recreation Ground, Charlieville on Friday. When asked after the meeting to name the minister, Warner said: "Everybody knows who it is."
Warner said: "How come this same cabal minister has a brother who up to 2010 was on unemployment levy in Canada and now three years later is a big UNC contractor in T&T, even building play parks all over the country at ridiculously inflated prices? How come, Madam PM? How come? There is a book, titled Rich Man, Poor Man, but this minister should re-write a new version, Poor Man, Rich Man."
Warner said he had been hustling money for the UNC long before he came into government. He said: "Before I came into government, I have been soliciting the help of business interests, encouraging them to give back in support of the disadvantaged, dispossessed and even the unfortunate ones in our society.
That is no secret. Before we entered into government, my friend Kamla and I, all hours of the night, were in Fairways meeting with residents asking for and receiving their financial assistance, but I have no intention of ever exposing those residents. Never!"When we went into government, that policy never changed.
"As Minister of Works and Transport then, I had called on contractors who received millions of dollars from the Government annually, and I had asked them to do something for country and pave a road for free."I wrote to businessmen asking them to expand their establishment even when there was no room, just to employ a man or a woman, a boy or a girl from the communities where they do business. So the practice of Jack Warner going to big business for help is nothing new."
Lashing out at the Prime Minister, Warner said: "...on your instruction and using the same Ministry of Works and Transport letterhead, I had even asked contractors to pave, without cost, the car park at the Divali Nagar site, which they did."Warner said it was true that he wrote to contractors in his capacity as Minister of Works and Transport for assistance, not only for the Christmas parties but for other functions hosted by the ministry's social events committee.
He said: "I signed as minister because I have nothing to hide."Warner further said: "One businessman alone over the past three years alleged that he has contributed over $27M to yourChristmas fund, Prime Minister. Whether that is true or false, it is not for me to judge, but if we want to start investigations don't you think we should investigate that too?
Madame Prime Minister, I even recall one former chairman of Caribbean Airlines donating $5M from a losing CAL to your Children's Life Fund. Should that not be investigated too?
The ILP leader questioned the difference between him soliciting funds from the business community for a Christmas party for his staff and others soliciting funds from the business community for the PM's annual toys drive.