4 days ago
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Lead Editor Politics
The People’s National Movement (PNM) will meet today to discuss if there is a case to refer Minister in the Ministry of Housing, Anil Roberts, to the Integrity Commission.
Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles believes Roberts may have breached Section 28 of the Integrity in Public Life Act, when he revealed documents while questioning the purchase/rent of three Housing Development Corporation (HDC) Victoria Keyes units belonging to the wife and children of St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves.
Speaking at the PNM’s weekly media briefing yesterday, Beckles said, “Section 28 of the Integrity in Public Act states that matters of a confidential nature in the possession of persons to whom this part applies shall be kept confidential unless the performance of duty or the needs of justice strictly require otherwise, and shall remain confidential even after separation from service. So, it is an offence when you, particularly as a minister, in a particular ministry where you obtain confidential information to bring that to the public domain for the purposes of doing exactly what Mr Roberts has done.”
Senator Faris Al-Rawi explained that the PNM would be carefully examining all of Roberts’ statements before making a final determination.
“I like to concern myself with the law. I want to go back and find Pholourie and Mauby (referencing Roberts’ social media programme titled Doubles and Coffee) and see what it is was actually said on Pholourie and Juice, and see what was said, and get there. I’m trivialising the character because I think that the issue is larger than the character. So, it is incumbent upon us to get the facts and that we take responsible steps,” Al-Rawi said.
He also stressed that the Victoria Keyes unit was on the open market and not part of the HDC’s low-income housing stock, meaning anyone could purchase a unit at Victoria Keyes once they had the funds to do so.
On Wednesday Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar informed Guardian Media that the HDC has initiated an investigation into how Soleil (PM Gonsalves’ daughter)was able to secure the property. Persad-Bissessar cited two concerns, one being that the approval date was April 30, 2025, days before her government was sworn in and that it was a rent-to-own agreement.
When Guardian Media asked about the date in question, Beckles would only say, “Well, the only information that I have is that that particular apartment had some challenges and they were taking quite a while to get it sorted out. So I think that was the reason for it being done that way. And that’s not the only apartment that has problems, but I know that in terms of the agreement and the discussions to purchase it, it was before the 30th.”
Meanwhile Senator Al-Rawi could not at the time explain how Soleil was able to secure a rent-to-own arrangement.
“I can’t speak to that because I’m not familiar with the particulars, but I do recall, perhaps Mr Imbert remembers better than me, that a small portion may have been allocated where the margins for the properties weren’t being heavily subsidised. So, I can’t recall the details of that. I’d have to take a look at it and get back to you. “
During the media briefing, the Housing Development Corporation put out a post on Facebook inviting people to an open house on Saturday at Victoria Keyes. The PNM said that it was further proof that anyone, once they could afford it, could acquire one of those units.
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