Caption: Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath
By Alicia Chamely
THE Government is not hiding from any matters related to the termination of nine executive officers at the Water and Sewerage Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (WASA) and Dr Alvin Hilaire as Central Bank Governor.
Rather, their choice not to directly address questions raised is to protect the state against any future legal disputes.
On Friday, at the Notice of Urgent Questions at 13th Sitting of the House of Representatives on Friday at the Red House, Port of Spain, both Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath and Finance Minister Devendranth Tancoo invoked Standing Order 27 (1) G respectively when questioned about the terminations in the organisations under their remit.
Standing Order 27 (1) G allowed for a Minister to decline answering a question, should he believe the publication of the answer would be contrary to public interest.
Questioned during a United National Congress (UNC) press conference held on Sunday at the party’s Chaguanas headquarters, as to why he and Tancoo chose not to answer the questions posed to them, Padarath said, “There is legal recourse in this country on any matter, that is the framework in which we operate and the law of the land allows persons, whether it is industrial court, high court, or any court to see redress.”
He added, “However, as the government of Trinidad and Tobago, we must protect the taxpayer and not prejudice any legal matters that may come.”
In response to negative criticism for their decision to stay silent on the terminations, Padarath said, “The government wasn’t hiding, if we were hiding, we would not be here this morning answering your questions.”
Padarath reiterated that the decision to invoke the Standing Order was to protect the public interest, which is what the Order was designed to do.
He said, “This government is transparent, but obviously we have to ensure we do not prejudice any legal matters that come and therefore we invoked Standing Order (1) G in the interest of the public purse and the taxpayer obviously.”
Although Padarath did not mention any legal recourse being taken against the government at this time, both Hillare and fired WASA CEO Keithroy Halliday, had hinted to the media in separate interviews last week that they were looking at their legal options.
