Days after launching his political party, former independent senator Nikoli Edwards has resigned from the Procurement Board of T&T. He submitted his resignation letter dated today to the chairman of the Procurement Board Moonilal Lalchan.
On Saturday, Edwards launched the Progressive Party, at the Harris Promenade, San Fernando, and announced plans contest all seats in the upcoming general election.
Edwards, who was appointed to the inaugural Procurement Board on January 12 last year by former President Anthony Carmona, wrote in his resignation letter: "As you are aware, I have decided upon another course through which I hope to be of service to my country. It was not an easy decision and one for which I expect there to be consequences, but one which I believe I am called to. I have launched a political party, the Progressive Party, and currently, sit as its interim political leader.
"It is my hope to contest the 2020 general election and emerge as a Member of Parliament where I can effectively represent the views of citizens and contribute to legislative reforms, something which I have some experience with also thanks to the former President. While this is a huge risk, I am confident in my ability to see this through."
Edwards said while there are no stipulations in place for his resignation he has opted to step down.
"I have come to understand that while the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property Act of 2015 does not speak to a unique situation where, in the exercise of his or her duty on the Procurement Board, a member becomes the leader of a political party, I do understand that such a scenario may be seen as indefensible given society’s distrust for politicians and the belief that all politicians are impartial, forgetting that a politician’s prerogative should at all times be about working to advance the country’s interest and not party’s interest," Edwards said.
"Despite the above, I wish to tender my resignation as a member of the Procurement Board and Chairperson of the Ineligibility Sub-Committee effective August 1, 2019, as a matter of preserving the integrity of the Procurement Board. I have opted not to resign with immediate effect as there are matters which I wish to close and I further pose no threat to any of our intended stakeholders as currently, members of the board can only provide policy and strategic direction in the absence of the full proclamation of the Act."