Senior Political Reporter
UNC MP Barry Padarath says that information they received from a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request has revealed that 24-7 bodyguard security for Telecommunications Services of T&T (TSTT) acting CEO Kent Western costs $65 an hour - amounting to almost $49,000 monthly.
Padarath spoke on the issue at yesterday’s UNC media briefing at the party’s Chaguanas headquarters.
He said he’d gotten a response from TSTT to a query filed by one of his agents under the Freedom of Information Act
He said the document stated that the board approved a compensation offer and benefits to the CEO which included the provision of protective service,s as these form part of the offer.
He alleged that Western was at the “bottom of the list” in terms of evaluations and interviews for the post. But he said the FOI reply confirmed Western received 24-7 bodyguard services for himself and his family. Padarath claimed this was directed by TSTT’s board headed by Sean Roach. He said the 24-7 security was at a cost of $65 per hour.
“When you calculated 24-7 security at $65 per hour, it gives a grand total of close to $49,000 a month,” Padarath added.
He said the FOI reply stated the private security company providing the service from November 30, 2023, was Amalgamated Security Services Ltd.
“But this is while you and your family are subjected to criminals,” Padarath added.
“And let’s not forget there are several ministers who have Special Branch security for their families while you’re at the mercy of criminals rampaging!”
Padarath said he could confirm that ex-TSTT CEO Lisa Agard had refused to accept any security because TSTT was sending home workers in cost-cutting exercises during her tenure.
Querying why Western should get a salary/perks package of allegedly close to “$100,000” and asking if he was a “PNM financier”, Padarath said it was the same Government who took someone from the bottom of a list and put her at the top to become police commissioner and “got rid of Gary Griffith”.
He said Ministers Fitzgerald Hinds (National Security) and Amery Browne (Foreign and Caricom Affairs) could spend two hours talking about Griffith and “everything under the sun” and not say a word about how they’re protecting the public, yet Western and his family had bodyguards following them while the public had to cower, “sleep with knife under your pillow” and be at the mercy of criminals.
Padarath said more FOI information is due mid-month.
He also questioned how Roach was re-appointed TSTT’s chairman after last year’s cyberattack, whether Roach was a “PNM financier” and why board members Wendell Berkley, Anneline Innis and Anthony Peyson were reappointed and others allegedly “dismissed.”
Padarath claimed “Wait Dorothy wait” should be Government’s slogan, since PNM’s handlers told them to wait until after elections to enforce utility rate hikes. He claimed the “game” in the “silly season of electioneering” extended to promised desalination plants for Moruga and Tobago East”. He claimed Government was taking money from different areas in WASA to maintain staff until after election, when he said “the axe would drop on workers”. He claimed in the upcoming mid-year review, part of Government’s funds will be used for VSEP packages to send home workers.
