By Sue-Ann Wayow
NO breach or favouritism has taken place in the selection of the law firm chosen to represent the State in the scholarship matter against the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha (SDMS).
If there was any, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley challenged the Opposition to let him know.
Dr Rowley in Parliament on Friday stated, “I fail to see other than a certain kind of unmentionable that has my colleague from Naparima obsessed with what happens to a law firm in which the member’s wife is a partner.
“It is very unbecoming to be targeting a member’s wife in that way. No law has been broken and no breach has been met. I am unaware of any wrong in this matter and if you do find any wrongdoing, please let me know and I will pass it to the appropriate authorities.”
He was asked by Member of Parliament for Naparima Rodney Charles, “Could the Prime Minister inform the House what is the quantum of money paid to the law firm Al-Rawi, Haynes-Soo Han and Company thus far by the Office of the Prime Minister in respect of a pre-action protocol letter from the Maha Sabha questioning the change in criteria for scholarships?”
Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi’s wife Mona Nahous Al-Rawi is a partner in the law firm.
Dr Rowley responded, “The quantum of money paid is zero, zilch, nada, nothing, none at this point. The matter is in the Court and at the appropriate time, a bill will be issued and a payment will be made.”
He was also asked about the procurement process and Dr Rowley stated that occasionally, the Office of the Prime Minister would be required to seek legal help which was sought either through the Offices of the Permanent Secretary or the Attorney General.
“The Prime Minister is not involved personally in selecting any law and if it has been done, it has been done within the realms of the appropriate public service department,” Dr Rowley said.
He was further asked to state what procedures existed in his office “for tenders such as these.”
Dr Rowley replied, “There is no procedure in my office which specifically identifies any citizen to be discriminated against or to be favoured.”
And when pressed again for more responses by Charles, Dr Rowley fired back, “What is your obsession with the man’s wife?”
