Political activist wants info on Govt, NCB Global Finance deals

SOCIAL and political activist Ravi Balgobin Maharaj wants information on Government’s financial arrangements with NCB Global Finance, whose chief executive officer is the brother of National Security Minister Stuart Young.

Maharaj sent separate freedom of information requests to the Cabinet, the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Finance and the Urban Development Company of TT (Udecott) seeking answers.

From the Cabinet, he wants copies of all notes and minutes for matters in which both Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi and Young have recused themselves.

From Udecott, Maharaj wants to know of the policy and practice for the selection of a financial institution from which it can borrow or take any form of loan financing. The include those that require Cabinet approval and those that do not; a copy of all loan agreements between Udecott and NCB Global Finance from 2015 to present; and a statement of all monies paid to NCB Global Finance for the same period.

From the ministry, he wants to know about the policy for issuing and processing letters of indebtedness to private contractors; a copy of all letters of indebtedness to contractors by the ministry from September 10, 2015 to present; a list of all the payments made on these letters, including the entity to whom the monies were owed and eventually paid for the same period, and a list of all the transactions by the ministry on behalf of the Government with NCB Global Finance and the amount of money involved in these transactions.

He has also asked the ministry for correspondence of any demand for payment by NCB Global Finance and a statement of all the money paid by the ministry to the financial institution.

At a virtual political meeting last week, Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar questioned if Young had recused himself from Cabinet meetings where loans, allegedly amounting to $2.5 billion, were approved to be borrowed from NCB Global Finance where Angus Young is the chief executive officer.

In reply, Young said, “I have recused myself on every single occasion that NCBGF arises in any Cabinet note. I recuse myself and I do not participate in any discussion on these Cabinet notes. I have recused myself on every single Ministry of Finance Cabinet note that mentions NCBGF, whether it is successful or unsuccessful.

“This is recorded on every Cabinet minute that NCBGF is mentioned.”

In his requests, Balgobin-Maharaj said the public has always been sceptical to interactions between the Government and NCB Global Finance because of the blood relation between the Young brothers.

Balgobin Maharaj also said the minister’s claim that he recused himself on occasions which would have resulted in a conflict of interest has rekindled concerns among people he speaks to and who also want to know if the AG has done the same when issues relating to properties his family owns and which are rented to the State.

“It is plainly obvious that there are instances where the Government has financial transactions with entities that have relations with Cabinet members themselves,” the request says.

In the requests, sent by Balgobin Maharaj’s attorney Che Dindial, they say there was a need for public knowledge on potential issues of conflicts of interest that may be occurring in the Cabinet; scrutiny of the minister’s claim he recused himself; and the information being sought pertains to the use of public funds.

The letters also alleged the Young family “wields significant power and influence in the Government,” and there was no prejudice to full and frank disclosure to clarify any misconceptions and instil a sense of public confidence in the governance process.

“The allegations levelled against the minister are serious ones and may allude to the perception of fraud, collusion and misbehaviour in a public office, which are matters of public concern,” the requests said, adding a judicial review claim will be filed if there is a failure to comply with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act.