By Sue-Ann Wayow
OPPOSITION Leader Kamla Persad–Bissessar is calling on House Speaker Brigid Annisette-George to answer questions as to why she prevented queries raised by the Opposition concerning a particular company, Inez Investments Ltd.
She is also warning the House Speaker that she has lots of information on the company, its owner and a potential relationship with Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and Police Service Commissioner-designate Maxine King and will reveal all in due course.
Speaking at the United National Congress (UNC) virtual report on Monday night, Persad-Bissessar showed two thick files with information she said was pertaining to Tobago businessman Allan Warner and Inez Investments.
The issue of King’s alleged involvement was first raised by Opposition Senator Wade Mark last week, a few days before King’s appointment was approved in Parliament when he spoke of issues allegedly involving three of the five Police Service Commissioners.
Speaking about King, Mark said she works for a wealth management company named Firstline Securities Ltd and the company’s registry showed a mortgage dated November 2, 2017 with Inez Investment Ltd as a borrower.
He said the company is owned by a prominent Tobago family which is closely associated with Dr Rowley.
Persad-Bissessar said when Opposition Member of Parliament Dr Roodal Moonilal attempted to raise in the Parliament, the query was shut own by Annisette- George.
She said, “The Speaker prevented Dr Moonilal from speaking about this development called Inez Investment. I want to ask the Speaker of the House: Did you willfully prevent Dr Moonilal from speaking about Allan Warner and Inez Investments because you are conflicted? Does your husband Newman George have a million-dollar townhouse in Warner’s development known as Inez Gate? Is Mr Warner the favoured contractor and designated real estate provider for the PNM hierarchy?”
Persad-Bissessar added, “I put you on warning. And do not go in the Companies’ Registry or the Land Registry to delete any records. We already have screenshots of all those records.”
She also added, “What is happening in the dark will come to light.”
Moonilal’s question
On Friday, Dr Moonilal began to ask Dr Rowley in Parliament during the Prime Minister’s questions segment, “Could you indicate whether Inez Investment Allan Warner…”
Annisette-George got to her feet saying, “Member,” but Dr Moonilal continued, “is a partner in the terminal construction and whether you have business interest…”
Annisette-George repeated, “Member for Oropouche East!”
Dr Rowley asked for the question to be repeated however the House Speaker said, “It’s a question out of order based on the original question and the response.”
The original question was concerning the construction of the terminal at the ANR Robinson International Airport and the contractor China Railways Construction Company Limited.
Dr Moonilal then asked, “Prime Minister are you aware in the public construction of the terminal at the ANR International Airport, Inez Investment of your friend Allan Warner is involved in the construction with subcontracts and are you aware of that?”
Dr Rowley responded, “Every citizen of Trinidad and Tobago is my friend including Allan Warner.”
He said, “But I am not aware that Allan Warner is involved in this project at Crown Point.”
According to the company’s website, Inez Investment Limited is part of the Warner Group of Companies established in June 2015.
The Inez Gate Development mentioned by Persad-Bissessar is located on Shirvan Road, Tobago.
The company stated, “This community consists of 46 townhouse units (3 bedrooms and 2 ½ bathrooms). It provides a tranquil living experience with all the amenities of an urban space due to its strategic location and carefully designed, gated interior space.”
