14th February 2011
Afra Raymond’s third submission to the Commission of Enquiry into the failure of CL Financial Limited, Colonial Life Insurance Company (Trinidad) Limited, Clico Investment Bank Limited, Caribbean Money Market Brokers Limited, and The Hindu Credit Union Credit Union Co-operative Society Limited
My name is Afra Martin Raymond and I am a Chartered Surveyor, being a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. I am Managing Director of Raymond & Pierre Limited – Chartered Valuation Surveyors, Real Estate Agents and Property Consultants. I am also the President of the Joint Consultative Council for the Construction Industry (JCC), an umbrella organisation which represents the interests of Engineers, Surveyors, Architects, Town Planners and Contractors in this Republic.
This submission is being made in my personal capacity and does not represent the position of either Raymond & Pierre Limited or the JCC.
My work on this vital issue has all been based on the public record and can be seen at www.afraraymond.com.
I am willing to give oral evidence before the Commission.
My area for focus in this submission is that of Political Party Financing.
In the case of Hindu Credit Union (HCU) these are good references – http://legacy.guardian.co.tt/archives/2004-12-05/business1.html or http://legacy.guardian.co.tt/archives/2008-07-27/news10.html
Questioned about allegations that he had helped finance the PNM’s campaign leading up to the last general election, Harnarine replied: “We have assisted all major political parties in consideration of the HCU’s membership, which has a large base.”
Harnarine said he went out of his way to help the UNC, COP and even organised a meeting between Manning and the Indian businessmen.
It is my view that these persons must be questioned by the Enquiry if we are to properly comprehend the extent of the financiers’ influence –
- former Prime Minister Basdeo Panday
- former Prime Minister Patrick Manning
- former PNM Chairman and Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Conrad Enill. Enill was also the Campaign Manager during the 2007 and 10 elections, so he will possess a clear knowledge of the campaign finance trail.
- former PNM Treasurer and Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Mariano Browne.
I do believe all the items in this submission to be true and correct.
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Afra M. Raymond B.Sc. FRICS
AfraRaymond.net 
I am a member & depositor of HCU. The enquiry at this time will hinder all the court matters as people will form their own opinion when they read the newspapers, and decide on what should or shoulld not be done.
The truth always seems to be twisted in order to sell newspapers. Let the court decide on all the matters as swift as possible, and then you can have an inquiry. I support Mr. Harnarine in this as I have attended court hearings. I believe no matter what position of authority we have in this land, you can always use your authority in a way through the system to defeat someone, but I believe in my Dharma –
Lord Krishna telll Arjuna in the battle field of the Mahabarat War” Stand up and fight for what is right, or history will member you” If God for you no one can be against you. Thank you for allowing me this space to view my comment.