Member of Parliament for Princes Town Barry Padarath is calling on former WASA CEO Sherland Sheppard to tell the country who instructed him to remove Five Islands Water Park from the list of companies owing the company money.
The following is a press release from the MP:
Responding to an article in today’s Guardian newspaper, Member of Parliament for Princes Town, Barry Padarath is today calling on former WASA CEO, Sherland Sheppard, to break his silence on the matter and tell the country who instructed him to remove Five Islands Water Park and others from the list of companies owing the public utility millions of dollars.
He added that Sheppard must categorically state whether or not it was a member of the Rowley led cabinet.
Padarath is also calling on Minister Marvin Gonzales to come clean on the matter, noting that Minister Gonzales was silent for months as the Opposition raised the issue time and time again, inside and outside of Parliament. The MP said the country deserved to know why those two names were removed and who issued the instruction. He added his concern that public servants may be taking the hit for their Ministers.
The MP is also calling on Marvin Gonzales to tell the population exactly what is being done to recover these millions owed to WASA, adding that a comprehensive list must be presented to the public stating the amounts owed, the period for which the monies are owed and how much, if any, has been recovered.
He added, the other names that were removed must also be put into the public domain, pointing to the fact that thus far only Five Islands was brought forward but there were other companies that were initially removed from the list.
Padarath also pointed to the fact that the average citizen is having their service disconnected over a few hundred dollars while Five Islands and others appear to be operating as usual. Padarath called on the Minister to clear the air on why Five Islands Amusement Park and others were enjoying such a benefit, asking if these companies had any special relationship to the Government or any other state agency and if this is the case it must be declared to the public.
The MP is today questioning whether or not the government has any relationship with the directors of these companies. Are they involved in any other contracts? Why is it being perceived that these companies are being protected? What is the real purpose of protecting these companies?
Padarath concluded with yet another call for Sheppard to break his silence and not allow the Government to use him as a scapegoat in this matter.