Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley paid a private visit to the Diego Martin Regional Corporation late Tuesday night to probe issues and questions raised against its chairman Darryl Smith during last Thursday's screening for the Diego Martin Central seat.
Insiders at the Diego Martin Regional Corporation said yesterday Rowley expressed a concern about allegations of mismanagement of funds at the corporation, which was allegedly raised at the screening stage for selection for the Diego Martin Central seat.
The T&T Guardian was informed that Rowley and Member for Diego Martin North East, Colm Imbert, visited the regional corporation and also met with several councillors for the area that same night.
While Rowley confirmed yesterday he was there, Imbert did not respond to questions on the matter.
However, Rowley denied that he was there to investigate allegations of embezzlement.
“That is a total lie,” he said in a text response yesterday.
He did, however, confirm that the visit was to probe information the screening committee received.
“We met with councillors to check on information put to the screening committee. Our interest was to assess the effectiveness and leadership of Mr Smith as a chairman of the corporation and the kind of management relationship he had with various councillors in the corporation,” Rowley said.
The PNM screening committee is expected to reconvene on Monday. The Diego Martin Central Committee has until then to find a new batch of contenders for the Diego Martin Central seat after incumbent Dr Amery Browne received no votes from the committee last Thursday.
Smith, who also contested the position, topped the shortlist with just two nods of approval out of an 18-member committee.
It has since been reported that the PNM has left the door open for Browne to return for screening. Browne has also indicated he is prepared to re-offer himself for the position he has held for two terms.