Property Matters – Tobago Sandals MoU

29th November 2018 was the first hearing of my Judicial Review of the refusal of the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) to provide a copy of the Tobago Sandals Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which I had requested under the Freedom of Information Act (FoIA) since 27th February 2018. At that hearing, the OPM agreed to provide the MoU and pay my costs, so my lawsuit was withdrawn.

tobagosandals-mouhandover
(L-R): Adam Stewart, Sandals Resorts Group Deputy Chairman; Minister of Communications, Stuart Young; and Sandals CEO, Gebhard F. Rainer with the MoU for Tobago Sandals .

This Tobago Sandals MoU was signed on 10th October 2017 and should have been disclosed long ago, without any necessity for legal action on my part. The PM and Minister Stuart Young repeatedly told the public that these details could not be published as that would undermine these important negotiations and so on and so forth.

Nine months of delays and obfuscation verging on an abuse of process, but that is just my opinion, as the OPM was advised by eminent Senior Counsel, Deborah Peake.

When the MoU was released at a press conference the evening before, Minister Stuart Young was emphatic that the decision to publish had nothing to do with me or my litigation. One has to wonder at the quality of advice being taken by the Cabinet. Continue reading “Property Matters – Tobago Sandals MoU” →

AUDIO: Interview on Power Breakfast show 102.1 FM – 3 December 2018

power102fmAfra Raymond was interviewed on the Power Breakfast programme on the recently disclosed Sandal Tobago Memorandum of Understanding obtained via court order following a successful Freedom of Information challenge by Raymond. Audio courtesy Power 102.1 FM

Programme Date: 3 December 2018
Programme Length: 00:39:00

AUDIO: INDABA interview on Sandals Tobago – 21 NOV 2018

talkcity_logo_03This is the recording for the INDABA interview on TALK CITY 91.1 FM with Shabaka Kambon on Wednesday 21st November 2018 on Tobago Sandals project. Audio courtesy Talk City 91.1 FM

  • Programme Date: 21 November 2018
  • Programme Length: 00:30:06

Property Matters – the Benefit of the Doubt for Tobago Sandals?

Property Matters – the Benefit of the Doubt for Tobago Sandals?

In which a Flying Pig births a White Elephant…

If that phrasing sounds over-imaginative and gross, just consider these proposals for Tobago Sandals…

The previous article stated the bare facts about this large-scale development and placed those for consideration.  The response, online and elsewhere, was such that I am now going to set out the main arguments being used by the promoters of this project and place those for consideration.

What is ultimately at stake here is the right of our Public Officials to negotiate these large-scale projects, in secret and on our behalf.  The promoters of this project are claiming that intangible but substantial element, the Benefit of the Doubt.  This article will examine the merit of those claims for the Benefit of the Doubt.  Continue reading “Property Matters – the Benefit of the Doubt for Tobago Sandals?” →

VIDEO: Bussin’ Files 3: Our Season of Reflection in this Information War

VIDEO: Bussin’ Files 3: Our Season of Reflection in this Information War

“Our Season of Reflection in this Information War” is the theme of this episode of the continuing conversations and revelations on the Trinidad and Tobago society. Topics exposed include Open Contract, Tobago Sandals, CLF Bailout, media responsibility, the power of information and data. Video courtesy PixelPlay Media

  • Programme Date: 25 September 2018
  • Programme length: 01:04:07

CL Financial bailout – Evading Integrity

CL Financial bailout – Evading Integrity

On 18th April 2018 I published ‘Integrity Query’ in this space on ‘the apparent failure or refusal of The Commission to carry out its duties in relation to CLF as required by the Integrity in Public Life Act (IPLA)‘. My 10th September 2012 complaint to the Commission that it had not been performing its duties in relation to the Directors of CL Financial had seemingly vanished, with no real reply to be had.

Then, on 6th August 2018, The Commission gave its written response to my 2012 complaint. That brief reply stated that The Commission considered all available information relevant to my complaint and concluded that those directors were not governed by the IPLA – a further statement was made that CL Financial and its subsidiaries, including CLICO remained a private company in which the Government (sic) had a minority shareholding. (See embedded letter below.) This article delves into that entirely unacceptable reply and its meaning. Continue reading “CL Financial bailout – Evading Integrity” →

AUDIO: Interview on The Power Breakfast – 24 October 2018

power102fmAfra Raymond was interviewed Wednesday 24th October 2018 by Rhoda Bharath, Wendell Stephen and Richard Ragoobarsingh on the Power Breakfast Show on Power 102 FM. The discussion was about the financial stability and sustainability of the State Enterprises and Public Utilities and their usefulness in our times. Audio courtesy Power 102 FM.

Property Matters – Sandals Splinters

Property Matters – Sandals Splinters

#finefinefine

In writing on the extent to which Public Money is stolen or wasted and the need for proper standards, I offered this equation for the reality check –

               EXPENDITURE OF PUBLIC MONEY
Minus    Transparency
Minus    Accountability
EQUALS CORRUPTION

My previous articles have been focused on the gaps in the available information on the current proposals for the large-scale Tobago Sandals/Beaches resort,. This article will examine those proposals from the other perspective, by listing the facts which we do know. Continue reading “Property Matters – Sandals Splinters” →

VIDEO: Interview on Business Edge – 21 October 2018

tv6_logoAfra Raymond is interviewed by Asha Javeed on the “Business Edge” show on TV6, along with Procurement Regulator Moonilal Lalchan, to look at Transparency within the Government’s proposed game-changer projects for transformation and a sustainable local economy in the recent 2019 Budget presentation. Video courtesy TV6.

Programme Date: 21 October 2018
Programme Length:  00:10:00 and 00:08:06