MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT for Chaguanas West Jack Warner has filed a motion of censure against Finance Minister Larry Howai for his role as chief executive officer (CEO) of State-owned bank First Citizens when a loan was granted for the construction of Carlton Savannah.
Carlton Savannah Ltd has since been placed into receivership and this has negatively affected First Citizens’ “non-performing loan ratio”, the motion states.
Howai’s conduct as First Citizens’ CEO has “eroded” the public’s confidence in his ability to “administer over the finances of the nation in the best interest of the public” the motion states.
The motion qualifies to be listed on the Order Paper as of January 12.
It calls for Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to have Howai’s appointment as Finance Minister “revoked forthwith”.
“Whereas First Citizens Bank (FCB) is a State enterprise, in which the Government of Trinidad and Tobago has a majority shareholding and has made significant investments to ensure the proper functioning and viability of the bank in its competitive environment,” the motion states.
Approached at the Parliament Chamber yesterday, Finance Minister Larry Howai said he did not want to comment on the situation because it is sub judice.
“I don’t want to comment on it now because we are involved in some further discussions on the matter because I have asked my attorneys to deal with the matter, so it is kind of sub judice,” Howai said. (Express)
