Doesn’t anyone see the blatant links between Emile Elias, Dr. Rowley and Mr. Sirju?

One doesn’t need to look too far to see the blatantly corrupt Cartel-like operation run at the helm by two individuals, Emile Elias and Dr. Rowley. While Dr. Rowley steers the main political rudder of the operation, Mr. Elias continues to both finance and act as a bullying third party – mostly for his own selfish financial gain and the gain of NHIC – his most prized company.

One such connection we would like to point out is the apparent link between Emile Elias and Kenneth Sirju. Yes, the Kenneth Sirju that is in fact a member of the Uff Commission. Apparently there is more of a connection here than meets the eye. In fact even more of a connection than the media is willing to report and the courts are willing to accept. To be precise Mr. Sirju, a partner in the engineering consultancy firm KS&P, has a strong relationship with NHIC – Mr. Elias’s primary company. This relationship is so strong that Mr. Sirju’s company subcontracts on several of NHIC’s projects. Sirju’s company also performed design services for NHIC at the Cleaver Heights development, one of the projects being examined by the Commission and Sirju was personally involved in modifying the designs relating to the retaining walls for the Cleaver Heights project.

One might just wonder, why Mr. Sirju wouldn’t disclose such a relationship during the recent Commission to Inquiry. Perhaps Mr. Sirju and Mr. Elias were trying to influence the Uff Commission…. Could they have been conspiring together to tamper with the outcome of the Commission? What was Mr. Rowley’ stake? What was Mr. Sirju, Dr. Rowley and Mr. Elias trying to cover up regarding Cleaver Heights and their true interest in these matters? We want to know and we demand an investigation to find answers now.

What is the point?

While labor unions have an obligation to their members and companies must inevitably seek profits, the government should only be concerned with the execution of the best possible policy. While there has been much controversy and debate in recent years about the awarding of government contracts often times the debate is misguided. Yes there are concerns over source of labor and the competency of one contractor over another. These are serious questions that deserve honest answers. However, it is important to keep in mind the mission of UDeCOTT. Their purpose is to further the interests of all citizens of TT. The development contracts that they award inevitably benefit us all. They have no obligation to one group of citizens over another, no labor organization over another, no contractor over another. Their obligation is to the people of TT and their common, long-term goals. UDeCOTT is completely funded by tax dollars. These dollars must be spent in a manner that is most responsible and effective. Indeed, a few citizens greedy interest’s may not be served in the awarding of these contracts. However, if the contracts are awarded to the company that is most likely to deliver a high quality product, all citizens benefit in the long run. As the debate continues to rage over these issues let us keep in mind the ultimate development goals at stake and not get caught up in the short-term interests of parties with no real obligation to best serve the people of TT.

Rowley Seeking of Vengeance Over Contracts Misguided

As the New Year begins, Rowley is back to his typical antics by alleging impropriety on the part of the Housing Development Corporation and its leaders. Rowley, in typical fashion, failed to provide any actual evidence to back up his claims and when called on it by Government Ministers– had a no comment response. However, his actions are not surprising. Rowley may face a tough few weeks ahead as business resumes in Port of Spain. As you may recall, he used similar tactics back in December during the investigation of his involvement with the Cleaver Heights scandal.

As an elected official Dr. Rowley has a duty to his constituents and the greater community of Trinidad and Tobago. Time and time again he chooses grandstanding and misguided accusations to throw the attention on his political opponents. For him, this is preferable to having the media turn its attention to his highly questionable past. However, his behavior is not productive and it does not serve his constituents or the country’s best interest well.

Rowley’s Special Interest Tactics Backfiring

Rowley received much attention over his opposition to the recent property tax legislation that passed just before the new year. While even he must have known this would be a bold move, I doubt he calculated just how juvenile it was. His grandiose public display of opposition to the tax was a typical addition to his ongoing sideshow.

Rowley has substantial legislative power he could have used to amend or stop this bill had he chosen to do so. Instead he chose to use a serious issue as a political pawn, and in the face of his own party no less. The property tax was a major initiative for PNM and Rowley was every bit as part of its passing as the other representatives.

Rowley’s high-flying rhetoric do nothing to further the causes of his party, his legislature, his constituents, or his country. Diego West deserves a serious MP and not a completely self-interested actor who is forced into such behavior in order to keep the spotlight away from rumors and allegations about his own actions. Instilling fear into the people of Trinidad is far from the duty he has to serve them.

Keith Rowley, when are you going to represent the true interests of the people of Trinidad, rather than your own personal political and financial interests of yourself and your close friends like Emile Elias?

What is Rowley Hiding? Part 2

What is Rowley’s motivation for his fierce defense of Monteil and the vested interests if Elias? It is widely known that Rowley and Elias share a long-standing mutual friendship. However, I doubt friendship alone would motivate Rowley to clash with his own party. There must be some external motivation for Rowley’s actions.

Two possible scenarios have been at he heart of Port of Spain gossip for months. First and foremost many believe that Rowley is staying on the attack so that he is not placed on the defensive. There are a litany of smoldering issues from his relationship with Andre Monteil to the Cleaver Heights affair that deserve investigation. If Rowley can keep UDeCOTT and various allegations surrounding the development agency in the headlines there is simply less room for his opponents to question his actions. This is certainly not a new tactic.

The other, more sinister possibilities pertain to the rumors of financial ties between Rowley and Chairman Emile Elias of NHIC. If Rowley were, in fact, financially linked directly or indirectly to NHIC that would account for many of his past actions. However, it should be noted that no hard evidence of this has come to light.

What is Rowley Hiding? Part 1

Dr. Rowley has a long history of defending a seeming independent set of characters and speaking out passionately on an otherwise un-associated assortment of issues. There is obviously a link between these events and the actors involved.

A prime example is back in 2008 when Rowley rushed to the aid of his old-friend Andre Monteil. Monteil was accused of corruption and acting on insider information with his roles in both insurance agent CLICO and Home Mortgage Bank. Likewise, Monteil refrained from participating in any investigation of HDC contracts awarded to NHIC.

If there is in fact, a correlation, Rowely may have been covering for his friend Elias, Chairman of NHIC. While Rowley may have escaped accusations that he was at the helm of awarding contrustruction contracts. It is widely know that Monteil was, in fact responsible for this process at the helm of the Tenders Committee.

All the while, these men have led the charge for an investigation of UDeCOTT. I wonder how they would react if given the same level of scrutiny?

The Tax Charade

Politics are a necessary function of sound government. Elected officials, must, from time to time, play politics in order to achieve good policy. Most citizens accept this. However, the recent ‘debate’ surrounding the new property taxes is absurd. The harsh stances on this issue are clearly aimed at driving divisions in the government and distracting citizens away from other pressing issues.

In October, Dr. Rowley turned against his own party with harsh words regarding UDeCOTT. That bit of grandstanding failed to earn him real support with people across TT and proved to be little more than political maneuvering. Although is ultimate motives are unclear, his opposition to this new tax Rowley is clearly seeking a more emotional issue with which to connect to the people. This also serves as a convenient distraction away from the controversy surrounding Cleaver Heights and other accusations dating back to his tenure as Housing Minister.

Dr. Rowley appears, however implicitly, to be aligning himself with the interests of Peoples Democracy. This group claims to be a political organization driven by those representing worker’s rights. The union leaders involved should tread with caution. If they truly seek to look after the welfare of their workers they should be careful about growing to close to Dr. Rowley. While he may prove to be a powerful ally now, time ill tell if he will stay faithful to their cause.