CEPEP board to pursue legal action against former directors

The current board of the Community-based Environmental Protection and Enhancement Programme (CEPEP) is considering legal action against its predecessors over an alleged breach of fiduciary duty in connection with the controversial renewal of contracts on the eve of the April 28 general election.

Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath told Guardian Media, “CEPEP’s board has consulted me, and we are looking at the liability of the former PNM (People’s National Movement) board in this fiasco.”

Padarath added, “Therefore, we intend on initiating legal action against the former PNM board with respect to breaching their fiduciary duty through civil proceedings.”

This is the latest twist in the saga involving the state company which has been the center of significant controversy, particularly involving legal action and allegations of misconduct.

A major point of contention has been the extension of over 300 CEPEP contracts for three years, set to last until September 2029. These renewals were approved by the former CEPEP board just days before a general election.

After taking office, the new government terminated the contracts, citing the absence of proper Cabinet approval for the extensions, a move that prompted lawsuits from terminated contractors, who claimed the decision was unlawful.

High Court Judge Margaret Mohammed has referred the matter to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to investigate the circumstances surrounding the contract extensions.

The court has confirmed with Guardian Media that the documents were sent electronically last Friday and received by the DPP’s Secretariat.

DPP Roger Gaspard has also been asked to examine the alleged conduct of former Rural Development and Local Government Minister Faris Al-Rawi in procuring the three-year contract renewals.

Padarath told Guardian Media hat the proposed legal action against the former CEPEP board is another way the state is seeking to safeguard the taxpayer.

“While the court has moved with alacrity in addressing the matters identified by Justice Mohammed, CEPEP is also taking steps to protect the taxpayers of T&T.”

The former CEPEP board members include Joel Edwards, Yinka Jagbir-Garcia, Michael Seales, Maurissa Smith, Wendell Williams, Brian Rock, Geeta Rampersad, Robert Paul Lee, Camille Hosein, Kirt Bernard and Thomas Sanoir.