Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal yesterday expressed surprise at reports that China Jiangsu International Corp T&T Ltd is threatening legal action against the Las Alturas Towers Commission of Enquiry (CoE). He said he thought they would have wanted to explain their role in the failed $40 million project. Speaking to reporters after opening the refurbished Sanahie Trace in Debe yesterday, Moonilal said it would be a pity if the contractors did not appear at the CoE. He added, however, that it was their right to file legal action.
“It would be a pity if they don’t appear before the commission, but as I said these are legal processes and if they feel that their rights are being infringed, they are quite free to approach the court,” he said. “It is very unusual for people to actually go to court to prevent themselves from appearing before a Commission of Enquiry. You would think that they want to appear. Their initiative at the court is that they don’t want to appear and that for me is unusual as an onlooker.
“I am, of course, not involved in it, but I am looking on and I am hoping that (Opposition Leader) Dr Rowley himself will go to the Commission of Enquiry and explain his role in that massive scandal that has cost the taxpayers over $40 million.” Last Wednesday, the contractor’s attorneys, Alexander, Jeremie and Company sent a four-page letter to the CoE claiming it erred in law when it made the contractor a party to the enquiry.
The letter stated that if the commission failed to cancel its decision, the contractor will seek cost, reliefs and a declaration to have the decision to add them as a party to the CoE ruled unreasonable, illegal, null and void, and of no effect. Weighing on the COE so far, Moonilal said it has revealed managerial, institutional and administrative problems with multimillion dollar contracts. “It is really a scandal of the highest order and I am aggrieved as we would have like to give out all the housing units available, including Las Alturas.
“It is very saddening to me as Minister of Housing that my term will come to an end and I will not be able to give out Las Alturas Housing Estate,” he said.