DEREK ACHONG
Senior Reporter
derek.achong@guardian.co.tt
Political and social activist Ravi Balgobin Maharaj has requested the disclosure of information related to probes that were conducted into the procurement of 20 wooden extension ladders for the T&T Fire Service (TTFS).
Maharaj, through his lawyer Sue-Ann Deosaran, of Freedom Law Chambers, made the request under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) in correspondence sent to the Chief Fire Officer, the permanent secretary of the Ministry of National Security and the Director of Personnel Administration earlier this week.
The issue of the procurement of the wooden ladders for $999,000 arose in late October 2023, as it was revealed in response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) from businessman Inshan Ishmael.
Shortly after, then Chief Fire Officer Arnold Bristo defended the purchase, which he noted was done under the tenure of his predecessor.
He also defended the type of ladder purchased.
“The standard in Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service ladders has always been integral and wooden ladders have always been a key element in our organisation’s apparatus,” he explained.
“The standard fire truck appliance would normally be required to carry three ladders, a first-floor ladder, a 13.5-metre extension ladder, as well as a 10.5-metre extension ladder. It has always been the choice of the Fire Service to have wood ladders because wood does not conduct electricity,” he added.
Bristow said the ladders were being used and the only setback was the modification of trucks to accommodate them.
In October, last year, fire officer Melanie Valentine threatened a personal injury lawsuit against the State as she claimed that she was injured while tasked with testing the wooden ladders.
Deosaran noted that amid public furore over the purchase, the Integrity Commission and the Auditor General’s Department launched separate probes into the procurement.
“However, to date, a year after the investigations were announced, no updates or findings have been disclosed to the public,” she said.
“The prolonged silence is deeply concerning to our client, who, like many citizens, expected timely and transparent communication about such a significant matter,” she added.
She said that her client’s concerns over the issue were heightened with the deaths of government minister Lisa Morris-Julien and her two children in a fire at their Arima home late last year.
“This heart-breaking event sent shock waves through the country and brought into sharp focus the critical importance of an efficient, well-equipped, and reliable fire service,” Deosaran said.
Deosaran requested the disclosure of copies of the investigative reports and details on the members of the investigating committee and their terms of reference. She also requested documents which may have been unearthed during the investigations.
She referred to Section 35 of the FOIA, which provides disclosure of exempt documents where there is reasonable evidence of abuse of authority or neglect in the performance of official duty and the unauthorised use of public funds.
“The procurement of twenty wooden ladders at an exorbitant cost, which was later deemed unusable, strongly suggests neglect or a failure in the discharge of official duties,” she said.
The parties were given 30 days to respond before Maharaj files a lawsuit over the issue.
