A Failure of Clear Thinking
Once again we are witness to failure of clear thinking, decisive and credible leadership of our country. In 2015 the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago voted against Kamla Persad-Bissessar and the UNC for its abject failure of credible leadership. The UNC’s five year term in office was riddled with scandals and allegations of corruption. Dr. Rowley and the PNM appeared to be crusaders against corruption in high places and promised new, credible leadership. Their anti-corruption campaign won them the elections. The citizenry therefore had high hopes that there would be real change in how public procurement would be conducted and great expectations that there would be a vigorous and fair process of investigation into alleged wrong-doings during the UNC government’s time in office and that, where persons were found culpable, they would “do the time”.
Dashed Expectations
Today, just three weeks short of two years into office, the Rowley led PNM has totally dashed those expectations. Everywhere citizens are disappointed and disillusioned. And they have a right to be. The Tobago Sea-Bridge imbroglio is the perfect example of the failure of credible leadership in the country.
Need to Disclose the Facts
In our August 9, media statement “who is Manning the Bridge”, the MSJ called for (a) full and complete disclosure of all the facts related to the procurement of the Cabo Star and Ocean Flower 2 and (b) for the Prime Minister to make a definitive statement on this issue. Neither has happened. Instead the PM apologized for the ongoing fiasco, then went to Barbados on a private weekend visit; then summoned a meeting of stakeholders in Tobago for Monday 21st and now, has set up a one man investigator in the person of Mr. Christian Mouttet.
A Failure of Leadership
Every action taken by Dr. Rowley and his PNM government with respect to the procurement for the Tobago Sea-Bridge has demonstrated failure of leadership. Apologies at this stage, after tens of thousands of commuters and holiday makers have been inconvenienced and business-people have lost vitally necessary revenues, were inappropriate and inadequate. A stakeholders meeting almost two weeks after the contract for the Ocean Flower 2 was terminated is equally inappropriate. People need to know firstly, with certainty, when the sea-bridge will be returned to a decent and proper state. Secondly, citizens need to know that action has been taken to hold those responsible for this imbroglio accountable. No excuses, no cover-ups.
Mr Mouttet is not Qualified to be the Sole Investigator
The third “action” by Dr. Rowley, to appoint Mr. Mouttet as a sole investigator goes to the heart of why citizens are disappointed by him and his government. The sea-bridge imbroglio is about public procurement. It may involve corruption and bid-rigging. It may not and may just be a case of terrible bungling and incompetence. We do not know. However, all the statements by the Port Authority (Boards past and present and Management), the Ministers (both past and present) and information in the public domain (leaked or ferreted out by investigations), including the latest statement by the Port that the procurement process was compromised, point to something smelling to the high heavens.
If, therefore, the process does involve corruption and bid-rigging then a one man investigator with no legal powers; no experience in forensic investigations; and no legal background is absolutely the wrong process. What is worse, is that Mr. Mouttet is part of the top business elite in Trinidad and Tobago. The possibilities for conflicts of interest are therefore immense. He deals with the Government. He deals with the Port. He deals with firms that may have an interest in the shipping and maritime business. He knows them personally as well as professionally. His report, regardless of how independent he tries to be will therefore lack credibility. Justice must not only be done, it must be seen to have been done.
Appoint a Special Prosecutor
The MSJ, for the umpteenth time questions why the Rowley PNM government has failed to appoint a Special Prosecutor to investigate the alleged corruption during the UNC’s tenure. That failure has meant that not a single soul has been brought before the Court on criminal charges of corruption. All the campaign rhetoric about being a crusader against wrongdoing has turned out to be bluster. We are being told “take it to the police, and the police are the ones to investigate” which is no different from what Kamla and Ramlogan said. The PM quite rightly attacked the Integrity Commission as being incapable of doing its job. The Police has totally failed in its responsibility to investigate white collar crime (plant like substance; prison gate; alleged attempt to pervert justice etc etc) so neither the Integrity Commission nor the Police can be the port of call to deal with corruption probes. And a Commission of Enquiry is a time consuming process from which only the attorneys seem to benefit.
This is why a Special Prosecutor, who will have legal investigative powers; access to forensic and other investigators; working with a specially selected and trusted team of police officers, is the way to go. The Rowley government’s failure for the past two years to establish a Special Prosecutor and now its choice of Christian Mouttet from the powerful business elite of the country to obtain the facts in the sea-bridge imbroglio is an indication that, for the PNM like the UNC before it, they intend at all costs to maintain the status quo. The status quo and system of powerful business interests. The status quo of political investors called financiers. And as for corruption, well they will not do anything to stop it or to prosecute those who are involved in it.
It is time that citizens reject this status quo, reject this broken system. The MSJ will have more to say on this issue.
