By Chantalé Fletcher
SINCE November 2015, then minister of agriculture Clarence Rambharat had told Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley about alleged corruption regarding the transfer of state lands.
Dr Rowley revealed this during prime minister questions in the Lower House on Wednesday. He was responding to Naparima MP Rodney Charles.
The prime minister said, “I can confirm that from as early as November 2015, the then minister of agriculture, land and fisheries spoke to me regarding possible corruption connected to state land development.
“I gave the minister advice in which he followed and thereafter I received from the minister right up to the last week letters, reports and information regarding fraudulent dealings with state lands and other aspects of potential criminal conduct.”
He said, “Many involved public officials including very senior ones with many seniors ones. On each occasion, I did three things: I listened to what was said, I read what was provided and I instructed the minister to report what was happening to the commissioner of police on any public authority and I gave the minister my assurance of full support on any action taken by him.”
Dr Rowely said, “At almost every cabinet meeting, I gave the minister the fullest opportunity to discuss the matter with the cabinet and on many occasions he did, right up to the last cabinet last Wednesday.
“And to the best of knowledge, some of those matters were with the police being acted upon by police, and if there are other matters still before us to go to other authorities, they will be forwarded.”
And Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal asked, “Could you confirm whether or not those reports that came to you involved the conduct of any current Cabinet minister in this sordid affair of stealing State lands?”
Dr Rowley said, “I am happy to report that none of the reports, documents provided to me on this particular subject involves any person in the cabinet which I lead.”
Rambharat resigned from the Cabinet last week citing that he wanted to spend more time with his family who is in Canada. He is also a witness in several matters involving state land fraud.
