Padarath: Rowley unfit to speak about unmasking Corruption at Transparency International Event
Princes Town MP Barry Padarath in a press release stated that he believed that the Prime Minister was unfit to speak about unmasking corruption at the Transparency International Local Chapter Conference on 8th March 2016.
Padarath took issue with Rowley being invited as one of the feature speakers at the event, especially at a time when members of his government have damning allegations of corruption levelled against them. He stated that Rowley lost the moral authority to speak of unmasking corruption until he deals with the allegations of corrupt officials in his government. He further stated that it would be incumbent on the local transparency group to recognize this and called on the group to remove Rowley from the panel.
The Princes Town MP cited the Minister of Housing and Urban Development Marlene Mc Donald and the Chairman of Udecott Noel Garcia as two examples of public officials under the Rowley administration who have come under fire with allegations of misconduct and misbehavior in public office.
Padarath stated that with mounting evidence in the public domain against both Mc Donald and Garcia, Prime Minster Keith Rowley continues to shield and protect members of his government instead of properly ventilating these matters. He indicated that Rowley’s stance on these matters to not have the Minister and Chairman step aside until the Integrity Commission completes its investigation undermines the confidence the public has in the offices that the officials hold, as well as the confidence in the office of the Prime Minister.
The MP further stated that Rowley’s failure to deal effectively with Mc Donald and Garcia and even Energy Minister Nicole Oliverre disqualified him from speaking on the subject matter of unmasking corruption.