THE Trinbagonian
May 18 2010
Issue.1
After the call by Prime Minister Patrick Manning for Parliament to be dissolved on Thursday 8th April 2010 and his eventual announcement of the May 24th Election Day, it was only a matter of time before the customary political 'banta' begun.
The United National Congress, only recently coming out of an internal election filled with controversy, was in a state of uncertainty when the election date was announced. Internal conflict between members of the party and the nation-wide discontent with Basdeo Panday opened the way for a new leader in the form of Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
Throughout the nation it was seen fit by various influential individuals and members of the opposing PNM to commend Persad-Bissessar on becoming the first female political leader of a major party. Some supporters even saw it fit to begin calling Persad-Bissessar the future Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, but to any sensible individual it would take much more than an individual's gender to secure a victory in a general election.
On the national front, the government consisting of the Peoples National Movement were under accumulating pressure by the Opposition party and the public with regard to questions of corruption being raised against UDeCOTT (Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago) and its chairman John Calder Hart.
John Calder Hart, an economist by profession was hired in the year 1986 by the government of Trinidad and Tobago for the purpose of setting up The Home Mortgage Bank (HMB). In addition to holding the position of Chief Executive Officer at The Home Mortgage Bank (HMB), he was also appointed Chairman of the Trinidad and Tobago Mortgage Finance Company Limited (TTMF), Chairman of the National Insurance Board (NIB) and Chairman of the National Insurance Property Development Company Limited (NIPDEC). Hart was appointed in August 2006 as Executive Chairman of the state owned company UDeCOTT.
John Calder Hart resigned on 6th March 2010 from all the positions he held due to accusations that he was involved in the awarding of a construction contract to a Malaysian firm worth over TT$360 million in which he had family connections. Documented evidence was brought forward and if Hart is found guilty, he would be in violation of the Integrity in Public Life Act, which forbids individuals from participating in the awarding of contracts if a family connection is present between them and the various groups/companies bidding for the contract.
For the PNM and their bid for re-election, this is a critical blow. Public trust in the party has been lowered greatly and as stated by the controversial Keith Rowley, it is clear that 'corruption is no respecter of political parties.' Due to a lack of proper oversight, UDeCOTT Chairman Calder Hart became a law unto himself. It is necessary for us to understand that Hart's affiliation was not with the Peoples National Movement but with the government of Trinidad and Tobago. At present the PNM does form the government but Hart has been occupying positions on state boards for roughly twenty-four years, including the years of UNC and NAR government. But it is clear that the money of Trinbagonians were put at risk and Patrick Manning as the Prime Minister needs to be held accountable. It does not mean however that the Peoples Coalition is fit to replace the present government.
Some may argue that the era of corruption and controversy has left the UNC with the introduction a new leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Chairman Jack Warner leading the way, but one must think again.
Warner's foreign interests and world-wide connections would certainly be improved if he was to get into any position of power on May 25th 2010. With all the allegations of corruption and the strong facts to support them, it is a surprise that Jack Warner hasn't been ousted of the political arena; but as many argue, the political arena has proven to be the breeding ground of corrupt personalities, individuals who have developed the unique art of portraying themselves as saviors while raping the treasury of our beloved nation.
Former Chairman of the Scottish Football Association, John Mcbeth, when asked about corruption among high ranking officials in FIFA (International Federation of Football Association) singled out Jack Warner, who he claimed asked him to deposit a check to Warner's personal bank account that was supposed to be sent to the TTFF (Trinidad and Tobago Federation) for a friendly match played in May 2004.
In addition, Warner was also in conflict with players of the Trinidad and Tobago National Football Team with regards to payments from the commercial revenue generated by T&T's participation in the World Cup tournament of 2006. According to Times Online, the TTFF declared that only an approximate TT$15 million was made from the World Cup and the players were entitled to roughly TT$5000. It was later revealed that revenue from the tournament had been approximately TT$150 million and the players were entitled to a much larger sum of money than TT$5000. A UK Sports Dispute Resolution Panel ruled overwhelmingly in favor of the players but Warner made the claim that the players broke a confidentiality agreement therefore he was no longer responsible for paying them the money.
The question needs to be asked, where did the undeclared TT$135 million go? It surely didn't go to the players who so diligently represented T&T in the World Cup and it surely wasn't declared by the TTFF. This is a clear example of the corruption in which Jack Warner is constantly involved in. It could almost be 100% guaranteed that the 13 players involved in the dispute would not be giving their votes to the Peoples Coalition once Jack Warner is associated.
Another issue was also revealed after the FIFA World Cup 2006 that added even greater merit to the widespread claims that Jack Warner is corrupt. FIFA's auditors estimated that Warner's family travel company made more than TT$4.5million on selling World Cup match tickets. A fine was said to have been implemented by FIFA on Warner.
Jack Warner is clearly a political liability for the UNC and the Peoples Coalition. The allegations of corruption revolving around Warner are too great to ignore, but as the May 24th General Election draws closer they seem to be playing a much lesser role than previously anticipated.
Some of the problems and issues that face both political parties were to an extent highlighted in this article but they should not be used to determine one's vote. They were used as simple examples to show that the individuals and political parties whom we hold in such high esteem are all faulty. One young boy once said that it's a simple choice of voting for the 'lesser evil.' It may sound a bit extreme but the boy has a point. The choice between the PNM and the Peoples Coalition should not be for the party with the more advertisements or 'catchy tunes' but for the party that has proven itself while in government and more convincingly proposes a better future.
The UNC, who is clearly leading the Coalition, did have their opportunity in the years 1996-2001 and the PNM has had their opportunity from 2002-2010, make your comparison.
In conclusion, it is only fair to assess the election battle thus far as of 1:05AM May 18th 2010 (The time I'm writing this article). The Peoples Coalition seem to be using every piece of information and ounce of energy they could find to make this election a done deal. They have attempted to provide evidence of the Prime Minister's involvement in the building of a church; they have attempted all manner of tactics in order to get Patrick Manning to agree to a debate and have continued to place greater focus on demonizing the PNM and their leader Patrick Manning rather than on issues that affect Trinidad and Tobago.
In addition, it is becoming clearer that most of the media houses within the nation are of the view that the PNM have been in power too long and there is need for a change. Under the guise of being unbiased many of the media houses are being overly harsh on the government and in some instances glorifying the work of the opposition.
With all of this in mind, the Peoples Coalition do seem to have the momentum on their side with endorsements by political heavy-weights like A.N.R. Robinson but the gap may be too large.
Read and Comment; Great article
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