Saddam Maintains PM Didn’t Declare Townhouse to IC

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By Chantalé Fletcher

UNITED National Congress (UNC) MP Saddam Hosein is debunking statements made by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley in Tobago on Friday in relation to the $1.2 million townhouse purchased from businessman Allan Warner.

In a press conference, at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition shortly after the Tobago one, Hosein said Dr Rowley was attacking the credibility of the Integrity Commission (IC).

The Opposition MP said, “He also said that I had access to private information within the IC but, that was a blatant lie and I deny those statements by the Prime Minister.”

Earlier at the Blenheim Tobago, Dr Rowley presented Form B of the declaration to the Integrity Commission to show the purchase of the $1.2 million townhouse at Shirvan Road at Inez Gate Development, Tobago which was later filed on December 20, 2020 due to a requested extension.

In making reference to Form A, Hosein said, “No one has access to this form besides the persons who made the declaration and the IC. While Form B, was called the ‘Statement of Registrable Interest’ which the public has access to which means that any member of the public has access to go and view this particular form.”

MP Hosein debunked the claims that the UNC had access to secret information. “The information we had was in respect to Form B for the year ending December 31, 2019 with the Integrity Commission.”

In addition, he made reference to page four of Form B which stated, “A declarant has to state the location of the lands, the description, area of the land, and its beneficial interest held.

“So, the Prime Minister according to checks on November 15, showed there was no declaration for the townhouse acquired at Inez Gate in February 2019. Yet today, in his address, he admitted that he did not declare the townhouse in Form B but the forms were available to the public.”

Hosein revealed the other properties owned by the Prime Minister and his wife which declarations were made. “A residential property in Mason Hall, Les Coteaux Road, the Alma Estate and another residential property in Mason Hall, Forest Hill Development.”

“So, you had declared properties on your Form B and such the Inez Gate townhouse was also owned by you and your spouse, which meant that it should have been on Form B of the Integrity Public Life Act.”