A new Board of Directors of the State-owned Estate Management and Business Development Company Limited (EMBD) has been named and some members have already met with the line Minister to discuss matters.
The appointments of directors Rehendra Seemungal, Lester Chariah, and Darren Garner on Tuesday were announced by the Ministry of Agriculture, Land, and Fisheries in a press release issued yesterday.
Seemungal is a businessman and former president of the T&T Hauliers Association, while Chariah is an attorney-at-law.
Garner, who was screened by the United National Congress (UNC) to contest the Port-of-Spain South constituency in the April 28 General Election, is expected to receive his appointment letter at a subsequent date.
“Together, these board members bring a strong complement of experience and proficiency across key sectors aligned with the EMBD’s expanding mandate,” the release said.
“As custodians of the EMBD’s development agenda, the Board will be instrumental in shaping policy, guiding land management initiatives, and advancing sustainable land use practices in support of national food security and socio-economic development,” it added.
Agriculture Minister Ravi Ratiram said that the appointments were a vital step in advancing the Government’s sustainable land management and agricultural development agenda.
“I am confident that this team’s collective expertise and vision will strengthen the EMBD’s capacity to deliver on its mandate and positively impact communities across T&T,” Ratiram said.
The release stated that the new board members met with Ratiram and Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture Saddam Hosein to have strategic discussions on enhancing the function of the EMBD in delivering its mandate.
Guardian Media understands that the EMBD’s ongoing cartel lawsuit against a group of contractors, former EMBD officials and former housing minister and current Energy Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal would be among the first issues that would be considered by the new board.
When the protracted and controversial case came up for hearing before Justice Frank Seepersad on Tuesday, EMBD’s lawyer Andrew Hunter, KC, said that the new board would have to make several decisions in relation to the case including approving court filings and the costs associated with expert witnesses.
Hunter said: “I wish I could give you an exact date but it is government appointments. We hope it will take weeks and be done by the end of July. It is not ideal by any means.”
Justice Seepersad adjourned the case to November 24 for the process to be completed and for EMBD to report back to him.