Senior Reporter
akash.samaroo@cnc3.co.tt
Former Public Utilities Minister Marvin Gonzales is defending the award of a $3 million contract to a company allegedly linked to the People’s National Movement (PNM), insisting it was necessary to urgently address a water contamination crisis affecting Point Fortin residents—and had nothing to do with the April 28 General Election.
Gonzales was responding to current Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath, who accused the former PNM administration of awarding a “sole select contract of $3.1 million” to a PNM campaign manager and sub-agent days before the General Election.
However, during an Opposition news conference yesterday, Gonzales arrived with documents he said were from WASA, claiming they proved the United National Congress (UNC) “intends to govern with lies.”
He produced a document containing a “Situational Analysis,” which stated the 1,900 residents along Salazar Trace, Point Fortin, were exposed to a serious public health and safety risk because the water supply was deemed unsafe for human consumption.
Gonzales said testing was conducted in February and in March, WASA managers recommended Obzen Construction Limited to execute the works.
“The managers of WASA recommended that Obzen Construction Limited be selected based on their ability to mobilise. They went through their own emergency tender process and determined that the contractor was chosen because they could mobilise within the shortest possible time, as all major contractors were already engaged in contracts for the authority and indicated they were unable to meet the required timeframe and capabilities needed for this emergency job,” he explained.
He accused Padarath of trying to create the impression that the contract was politically motivated due to the approaching election.
“Had the minister read those documents, he would realise that the genesis of this matter had absolutely nothing to do with any General Election on April 28,” Gonzales said.
He also said the contractor has not yet been paid for the project.
Pressed by Guardian Media on any personal affiliation with Obzen Construction, Gonzales said even if the company was linked to the PNM, it had a right to align with a political party.
“As we speak today, you will see a UNC campaign manager being placed as a URP coordinator,” Gonzales said.
He accused Padarath of pushing the narrative that if someone is associated with the PNM they should not be involved in legitimate government contracts.
“You can’t point to anything that was in breach of the Procurement Act. You can’t point to any corruption whatsoever. But suddenly, something is wrong simply because the person is a PNM supporter,” he said.
He continued: “That is ridiculous. And if we have to go through the Companies Registry, look at directors, and examine their association with any political organisation—be it PNM or UNC—and then point to that as though it’s evidence of wrongdoing, then we’re heading down a very dangerous road.”
Gonzales said Obzen is expected to send a pre-action letter to Padarath soon.
Contacted yesterday, Padarath said he has not received any communication from the company.
Padarath said, “Did I say they were corrupt? I put the facts on the table. What is the objection to what I’ve said? Did he indicate what part of what I said was not true?”