More Rowley – Just for once can you tell us the truth and your real interest

Cartel Watch has had Rowley on the brain lately. But who could blame us? Dr. Keith Rowley still lands in and among the screaming headlines of our newspapers on a daily basis. (Ask us sometime for our opinion on screaming headlines.)

Today, we wonder: if UDeCOTT and the entire construction contracting system is to be condemned for years of naughty behavior, wasn't Dr. Keith Rowley Minister (4 posts) during much of the period in question? As the Line Minister responsible for HDC, is it really likely he was unaware of the hanky panky going on in the Housing programs? Legend has it that he orchestrated many of the shady deals himself.

Don't forget all the other government contracting irregularities, including all the allegations against UDeCOTT, NHIC and Warner and related companies/projects. What kind of Minister and leader was he? Out to lunch with his "good friend" Emile Elias? Asleep at his La Horquetta apartment? Or did he have his hand in the public purse like all the rest now being accused?

Suddenly Rowley becomes the only honest man in T&T, following all his years of handing out billions in contracts to a construction cartel repeatedly identified as riddled with routine corruption and incompetence. The problems that are alleged to have been systemic and systematic certainly existed during Rowley's Ministerial terms. It doesn't seem possible that allegations should only be leveled against the Brian Lara Stadium and the MLA tower projects. We should be equally concerned about all previous awards, contracts and projects, so lets get at the real root of the issue: Who won most of the contracts under Rowley's tenure? Those parties should be investigated along with Rowley's specific involvement in the awarding of contracts. This is especially important now, in light of the allegations of an illegal Rowley Family bank account in the Caymans which had almost 6 million U.S. dollars pass through it since 2007.

One may wonder: what is the point of re-opening such issues as the many corrupt contracts awarded 5 and 10 years ago?

Because, dear readers, those who profited from such illegal and unethical cartel activities are now placing themselves to take even higher positions of government authority, and win the next round of contracts and elections. We cannot afford to allow those foxes to guard the chicken coops AGAIN without first making sure they are as clean as a new toothbrush.

Otherwise, Trinidad and Tobago will be doomed to yet another cycle of the same contracting corruption the UFF report has only addressed IN PART. Instituting good procedures will help, but not if the same old crooks are recycled back into the same authority they abused previously

Let's see a real accounting of what the Rowleys have in which bank accounts before giving Dr. Keith a vindication and clean bill, though. If the truth is aired, he won't be given another shot at the public purse.

Cartel Watch is pleased that the Attorney General has called for a Forensic investigation into the Cleaver Heights project, the lack of Rowley’s oversight and mismanagement, awarding of a $150 million dollar project to Rowley's buddy Elias and NHIC and the missing $10 million dollars in funds. We insist that while they are investigating this matter they should look into the allegations of the Rowley Cayman account, their Trinidad-based First Citizens accounts and their alleged purchase of bonds.