PM rejects Devant’s CEPEP claims

THE Prime Minister yesterday rejected former minister Devant Maharaj’s claims about an alleged conversation between a government minister and an MP about the selection of certain Community Based Environmental Protection and Enhancement Programme (CEPEP) contractors.

Maharaj based his claim on an audio clip which was circulated on social media. The people in the conversation allegedly referred to Dr Rowley.

Contacted for comment, the PM was blunt. “I do not respond to daily diet of mischief put out by Devant Maharaj,” he said.

Speaking with reporters at Port of Spain City Hall, Minister in the Office of the PM Stuart Young said, “Devant Maharaj seems to have taken up this mantle of issuing news items to TT. It’s very ironic.

“I think very shortly we will be hearing some stuff on Mr Devant Maharaj as well that he will need to hunker down and deal with himself.” Young did not elaborate.

He observed that under former housing minister Dr Roodal Moonilal it was normal for there to be consultations with MPs regarding potential CEPEP contractors.

“That’s my understanding as well. We wait to see how this unfolds, but I don’t think, from what I have seen so far, there was anything untoward with the minister having a conversation with a member of Parliament with respect to potential CEPEP contractors.”

Hosein has denied Maharaj’s allegation. He said he speaks with Government and Opposition MPs, directing them to contact CEPEP’s board directly.

CEPEP chairman Ashton Ford told Newsday “there is nothing to check” in respect of Maharaj’s claims. Recalling there were CEPEP contractors who were engaged under the former People’s Partnership government, Ford said these contractors continued under the People’s National Movement (PNM) after September 7, 2015, until their contracts expired.

“There is absolutely nothing wrong with a person who joins a political party seeking employment in CEPEP.”

He said CEPEP has 112 contractors and recently put out an advertisement, hoping to increase this complement. Ford said Maharaj should explain to the police how he obtained what appears to be a private telephone conversation between two people, which he said could be a breach of the cybercrime law. Maharaj said he does not know how to tap the phone of a government minister and someone sent him the audio clip.