Kublalsingh cross-examines works minister

A High court judge was told on Monday by Works and Transport minister Rohan Sinanan that the country would have been liable for $1.2 billion to Construtora OAS Limited, if it did not allow the Brazilian firm to complete the Solomon Hochoy highway extension to Point Fortin.

Sinanan was cross-examined by Dr Wayne Kublalsingh in the San Fernando High Court in a judicial review lawsuit being heard by Justice Ricky Rahim. He is contending that based on a meeting the Highway Reroute Movement (HRM) held with the minister, consultation was promised to the group before work resumed.

Kublalsingh wants the judge to grant an injunction halting construction.

Filed on his own behalf, Kublalsingh personally cross-examined Sinanan on alleged promises made to the HRM and a media release relating to resumption of work. Regardless of what the ministry’s media release contained, Sinanan replied, government is completing the connector road to Fyzabad but not interrupting the wetlands and river courses along Debe to Mon Desir.

Kublalsingh asked Sinanan if he consulted with the HRM and the minister said that he had made it abundantly clear, that any work outside the scope which OAS must complete in accordance with the outcome of arbitration, would be referred to the National Infrastructure Development Company. “Again, I did agree that outstanding work had to be completed in accordance with the outcome of arbitration. Any new work, I did agree, we will consult with you. We were under an obligation under arbitration, to complete the work. Your concern was the wetlands.”

Speaking into the microphone from the side of the bar table, Kublalsingh asked Sinanan, “Do you agree as the chief decision maker, you had the capacity to change the scope of the work?”

Sinanan repeated his answer that the HRM knew that the ministry had to complete all outstanding work and that no additional works leading into Debe and Mon Desir, would be undertaken without reference to NIDCO. The minister was forced to repeat the same answer not less that six times to all of the follow-up questions.

Asked again, Sinanan repeated, “We did agree that all outstanding works would be completed. If not, it would cost the country $1.2 billion.”