By Sue-Ann Wayow
MINISTER of Youth Development and National Service Foster Cummings is denying allegations in a leaked Special Branch report saying it is a calculated attack on his reputation and character.
At a press conference at the ministry’s office at Elizabeth Street in Port of Spain on Friday, Cummings said, “It is clear that this is a calculated attack on my reputation and character which I denounce in the strongest terms.”
He said it was not true that he claimed three parcels of land at Point Lisas and Couva belonging to the Housing Development Corporation (HDC).
Cummings said, “I own a parcel of land at Balisier Street, West Point Lisas which was purchased from a private individual. My wife is the owner of a parcel of land at the corner of Southern Main Road and Balisier Street East, Point Lisas, also my purchase from a private individual.
“Our family home is located on the Southern Main Road of Point Lisas, on lands purchased from the HDC.”
He said properties owned by his wife and himself have been declared to the Integrity Commission.
Cummings said he has no connection with an HDC property located at Ibis Avenue as was stated at a United National Congress (UNC) political meeting on Thursday.
On Thursday, Opposition Senator Jayanti Lutchmedial said that Cummings was investigated by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) Special Branch in 2019 and was still allowed to contest the 2020 general election.
She called on Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley to say if he was aware of such a report on Cummings.
If he is, then the question arises as to why Cummings was allowed to contest the election and furthermore appointed as a Cabinet minister especially as Dr Rowley is also head of the National Security Council, she said.
Lutchmedial was speaking on Thursday night during the UNC’s T&T Speaks meeting in the constituency of San Fernando West.
The Opposition Senator said she received in her mailbox, a “highly confidential report” from the Office of the Head of Special Branch concerning Cummings who was a Government Senator at the time.
She held a copy of the report sent on July 5, 2019, to the Police Commissioner from the Assistant Commissioner (Special Branch).
The allegations involved two companies’ activities and contract ‘awards’ both of whom are affiliated with Cummings who is the Member of Parliament for La Horquetta/Talparo.
Lutchmedial said, “Who did Special Branch investigate? The answer’s deeply disturbing. But what’s more disturbing is the fact that the subject has only risen to higher heights, promoted in the political arena, after this report. Worse—promoted by those who claim to be the biggest white-collar crime fighters.”
The report stated, “It is alleged that Cummings had conducted unscrupulous business through the aforementioned companies as well as the Housing Development Corporation (HDC).”
According to the report, Cummings claimed three parcels of HDC land as his own.
He is also associated with two companies also received several contracts from the HDC for the upkeep of vacant properties in Couva and Chaguanas, the report stated.
The report further states that the two companies Pical Services Limited (PSL) and Cyldeon Enterprises Ltd (CEL) have employed a sub-contractor for several sites in the Couva area, and “although he is not the owner of a registered business (person named) is reportedly a reputed drug dealer as well as the leader of the Railway Road Gang.”
Lutchmedial said she enquired of police officers in the Central Division about the gang who confirmed that such a gang exists.
Regarding this allegation, Cummings said, “Pical Services Ltd was duly contracted to conduct work for the HDC, over many years.
“However, no such contract exists for work at Indian Trail Recreation Ground. This project was undertaken by Piscal pro bono ad a gift to the community”
He said over the years it conducted business with both government agencies and private clients.
A search of the Company’s registry also revealed that CEL is unlisted that while Cummings was appointed director of PSL in 2002, that subject was unlisted in a recent search, the report stated.
Lutchmedial also asked Cummings if he was aware that he was being investigated.
She told supporters, “Every time, you hear the PNM accuse the UNC of something, it is because they themselves are doing it already. Every time they come to wash their mouth on us, they taking front. They always try to create a distraction and a deflection.”
Questions from Kamla
In early April, Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar also asked several questions of Cummings pertaining to the alleged occupation of Caroni (1975) Ltd lands in Exchange, Couva.
Persad-Bissessar said Cummings also has to answer questions regarding the Drugs Sou Sou (DSS) investigation such as whether he worked with DSS in the 2020 general election to get voters.
She further asked if Cummings now has to walk with security in his own La Horquetta/Talparo constituency because of fear.
In 2019, at a public meeting in August, Persad-Bissessar also said vehicles belonging to PICAL Services Ltd were being parked at a former Caroni (1975) Ltd building in Exchange, Couva.
According to Persad-Bissessar, companies owned by Cummings were awarded millions of dollars in contracts by the Government.
