newsday.co.tt
Sunday, September 6 2009
Trinidad and Tobago News Blog
www.trinidadandtobagonews.com/blog
THE HEARINGS of the fourth and final phase of the Uff Commission of Inquiry into Udecott, which was expected to start tomorrow, was yesterday adjourned “until further notice” by its chairman Professor John Uff.
In an email sent by the inquiry’s secretariat to all the parties to the proceedings yesterday, it was announced that the hearing would not take place, but instead a press conference would be scheduled for 11am on Monday.
“I am directed by the Chairman of the Commission of Enquiry into the Construction Sector to inform you that the hearing of the Commission fixed for Monday 7 September, 2009, will be adjourned until further notice,” secretary Judith Gonzalez wrote in the email.
Sources yesterday reported that a legal hitch over the commission has emerged which may have lead to the decision to adjourn the proceedings.
Under the Commission of Inquiry Act, “all commissions…shall be published in the Gazette, and shall take effect from the date of publication.”
It is reported that, to date, the commission has not been Gazetted. But sources yesterday also reported that under the Interpretation Act, the commission could be retrospectively Gazetted. As such, some legal sources are of the view that such a hitch would not be an impediment to the legality of the proceedings.
The abrupt decision to adjourn the proceedings, coming on the eve of hearings which have been expected to see key testimony, will deepen concerns over attempts to scuttle the inquiry.
Key issues that have been carded to be dealt with during the fourth and final phase of hearings include apparent family links between the Udecott chairman Calder Hart and a company Udecott awarded a $368 million contract, as well as the controversial Cleaver Heights Housing project.
www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,106817.html
September 06, 2009
Uff falls down
After costing more than $3 million, enquiry into UDeCOTT illegal
They said this was because according to the Commission of Enquiry Act of 1982, the enquiry was supposed to have been published in the Trinidad and Tobago Gazette (or gazetted) and this was never done.
$368M family affair takes centre stage
CARL KHAN, the ex-husband of Mrs Sherrine Hart, the wife of Udecott executive chairman Calder Hart, is expected to take the stand this week to be cross-examined over evidence he has lodge in the inquiry linking the Hart family to a company Udecott awarded a $368 million contract to.
September 07, 2009
AG Bids to Save Uff Inquiry
Attorney General John Jeremie is seeking advice from lawyers on the possibility of the Government tabling special legislation which could remove the legal glitch that has hit the Uff Commission of Inquiry.
Lay bill in House today
Diego Martin West MP Dr Keith Rowley is calling on the Government to act swiftly to save the Uff Commission of Enquiry into the Construction Sector.
Rowley: Govt can save Enquiry
Diego Martin West MP Dr Keith Rowley is calling on Government to move expeditiously to bring a Validation Act to Parliament, possibly today, “to secure the life and legality” of the Commission of Enquiry into UDeCOTT and the construction sector.
Costly error says ‘Transparency’ head
Transparency demands answers on Uff inquiry
The Trinidad and Tobago Transparency Institute (TTTI) yesterday called for answers concerning reports that the Commission of Inquiry into Udecott and the construction sector had not been gazetted.
Panday: Manning will abolish Integrity Commission
Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday yesterday said Prime Minister Patrick Manning may abolish the Integrity Commission.
‘…Courts will still have to decide on enquiry’s legality’
Legal sources have said the passage of a Validation Act by the Parliament to give retroactive legal standing to the Commission of Enquiry into the Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago and the construction sector could be subjected to a legal challenge.
Trinidad and Tobago News Blog’s URL for this article:
www.trinidadandtobagonews.com/blog/?p=1581
Uff calls commission to an end
“This is the end of the Commission’s proceedings one way or the other,” said the Enquiry’s chairman Prof John Uff QC, yesterday.
‘Udecott inquiry legal’
CHAIRMAN of the Commission of Inquiry into Udecott and the construction sector Professor John Uff yesterday vowed to complete his report as he declared the inquiry proceedings to be legal under the common-law, notwithstanding a legal glitch over its non-publication in the Gazette. Uff made this declaration even as he announced the axing of the hearings on the Cleaver Heights housing project which had been carded for this week.
Cleaver Heights probe dead
The probe into the controversial Cleaver Heights housing project by the John Uff Commission of Enquiry is now dead. It can be resurrected, but it will not be done by the Uff Enquiry.
PM baffled over probe collapse
Prime Minister Patrick Manning is promising a probe into the collapse of the Uff Commission of Enquiry into the Construction Sector.
Rowley wants probe by law enforcement
Diego Martin West MP Dr Keith Rowley says no matter what happens with the Commission of Enquiry into the Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (UDeCOTT) and the construction sector, enough evidence has been raised during its proceedings to warrant an investigation by law enforcement.
AG: A basic error
Jeremie seeks solution to blunder
ATTORNEY General John Jeremie yesterday described moves by his Office to find a solution to the legal blunder that has hit the Uff Commission of Inquiry as “a high priority” as he described the blunder as embarrassing. He warned it “will never happen again.”