Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has stressed she intends to run a corruption-free Government.
“I intend to lead a Government that will build a country that places the highest value and integrity in public life through accountability and transparency,” Persad-Bissessar told a spillover audience of Trinidadians and Tobagonians domiciled here.
She reiterated she will not permit wrong-doing in her administration and spoke of plans for procurement legislation.
Her comments came days after she ordered a halt to a $83 million contract awarded to two companies, Harry Persad and Sons Ltd and United Engineering Services Ltd, for the upgrade of runway lighting at Piarco and Crown Point international airports respectively. United had initially been selected as the No. 1 choice following the tendering process, but Works and Transport Minister Jack Warner subsequently split the contract between the two companies.
Opposition Leader Keith Rowley said on Monday Warner acted outside of the law when he ordered the Airport Authority of Trinidad and Tobago to sign the two contracts since there is no board in place.
Today, Persad-Bissessar told of the planned establishment of a Performance Management Unit, “which will enable me as Prime Minister to review on a timely basis the efficiency and effectiveness of projects of the different ministries”.
She said: “This will drive my goal of establishing a performance-driven, people-centred philosophy of governance.”
The Prime Minister added: “This will ensure that the values of transparency and accountability in the conduct of public affairs will be achieved.”
Persad-Bissessar said she will act decisively to root out corruption at all levels.
In a wide-ranging address to hundreds of people at a town hall in Chelsea, Persad-Bissessar said new Commissioner of Police Dwayne Gibbs has a mandate to reduce crime.
“Failure to perform means that he will be terminated,” she stressed. (Trinidad Express)
