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It's Just Too Easy To Play With The 'Hart'

March 8, 2010 by Taran Rampersad

Yes, yes, it's old news. Calder Hart left. And every headline is as punny as possible (including this one) because there was a twisted sense of humour that created and defended the Hart a total of 45 times. When I heard the news on Saturday, I had better things to do than write about something that I predicted: I told many people that it was O'Halloran all over again. Perhaps the problem is that Trinidad and Tobago doesn't have sufficient history for Trinbagonians to study, thus they don't, thus they repeat it.

And, of course, the PNM isn't held in great esteem now - and neither is the man occupying the Honourable Office of Prime Minister, Patrick Manning (note the placement of Honourable). So what now? Calder Hart resigned, left and... umm... everyone has something to say.

Other UDECOTT directors are so confused that they say 'Resign for what!'   instead of 'Resign for What?'. Clearly they have no friends amongst what could be something resembling an opposition part. Winston Dookeran (COP) feels vindicated. And Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj wants to probe the criminality of Hart. Every rumshop has its share of puncheon induced people discussing the issue as intelligently as everyone else - sadly, perhaps more so - before they slalom home, breathalyzers be damned.

Me? It simply astounds me that it took so long and got so far out of control. A Prime Minister defends a man 45 times. That seems to be the magic number before someone resigns. Did they count off? 

'1...2...3... steady.... 23...32... steady... 40... 41,42,43,44... get those tickets!... 45! GO GO GO!'.

And it astounds me that the Opposition was so deeply involved with its collective pants around its ankles that they managed to scare off the prey instead of capture it. For the conspiracy theorists out there who think that Patrick Manning and Basdeo Panday had an illicit love child in Calder Hart, it fits. Add one Kamla, filter off one Bas, simmer and... the Hart pops out.

The hero here, oddly enough, is of the PNM ranks - Rowley, who stood up and said what he had to say - but even then he was limited. It is sad that Trinidad and Tobago has a due process that allows this sort of thing to happen and continue to happen when it is patently obvious to everyone that there is a serious problem.

And the unsung hero? The media that cracked the story. While I can be tough on the media, they were more effective than Trinidad and Tobago government in getting the truth out - which, really, isn't saying that much. Even so, they deserve kudos.

So what now? How much more money will be spent before it ends as O'Halloran's hijinx did? Will it end the same? 

Remember what I wrote earlier about history in the first paragraph? 

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Comments

The Truth About UDECOTT

March 18, 2010 by From Foreign, 19 weeks 1 day ago
Comment id: 307

I am now working in UDECOTT for several years. I am fed up with senior management, and want to tell the truth about what going on inside of here:

1. Neelanda Rampaul illegally appointed herself as CEO without the Board's consent
2. Neelanda Rampaul is abusive, ignorent, unqualified, racist, hate other women, and is not accountable
3. Neelanda Rampaul only reach to COO because she had sex with Calder Hart
4. Neelanda Rampaul now having sex with Minister Mariano Browne so that Ministry of Finance wouldnt prosecute
5. Ellis Karamath of Hafeez Karamath Limited is illegally building a house for Neelanda Rampaul in Cascade in exchange for contract at Brian Lara Stadium
6. The money for Calder Hart UFF legal defence illegally taken from Ministry of National Security Bonds from RBTT
7. Neelanda Rampaul lies to UDECOTT board. They only know what she and Calder Hart tell them. The board innocent as they don't know the truth
8. Neelanda Rampaul and Calder Hart keep tenants out of waterfront office buildings because they don't want UNC business in there, only PNM, buildings empty
9. UDECOTT insolvent barely have enought money to make March payroll next week
10. 2007 accounts finish since november last year, Neelanda holding them back because of fear of prosecution
11. Neelanda Rampaul still taking orders from Calder Hart. Talking to him on the phone daily about UDECOTT business
12. Neelanda Rampaul terrorizes staff threatening to slap and physically hurt people
13. Church in Guanapo commissioned by Calder Hart for a gift from Michael Zhang of Time Construction and Shanghag Construction to Manning

Manning Knows

April 15, 2010 by From Foreign, 15 weeks 1 day ago
Comment id: 378

Ricardo O’Brian of UDeCOTT arranged for illegal advances on the Brian Lara Stadium to be diverted to Patrick Manning’s election campaign in 2007. The money now within the PNM treasury. Ask Ellis Karamath of HKL. 25% of stadium monies diverted to PNM. Sofia Noel was sacked because she refused to cooperate. A good forensic accountant with both UDeCOTT and HKL accounts and bank statements would see it right away. This is why Manning panic and call election.

Manning knows - A big lie

April 19, 2010 by From Foreign, 14 weeks 4 days ago
Comment id: 384

Ricardo O'Brien left UDeCOTT in January 2007. This is yet another pack of lies. For your info please check the Commission of Enquiry website for its transcript of Safiya Noel's testimony on the witness stand dated March 27, 2009 which speaks to these advance payments on the Brian Lara Cricket Academy which refutes your fabrication that Ricardo O'Brien arranged these.

Manning knows - A big lie

April 19, 2010 by From Foreign, 14 weeks 4 days ago
Comment id: 385

And furthermore, elections of that year took place in November 2007, eleven months after O'Brien left UDeCOTT.

You're such a stranger to the truth. Big time fabricator - you should be in construction.

About Ricardo O'Brian

July 23, 2010 by From Foreign, 1 week 15 hours ago
Comment id: 737

Mary King...pay attention nuh.....Ricardo O'Brian was the Acting CEO of UDeCOTT for all of 2007.....compare HKL's donations to PNM coffers to the money they received from UDeCOTT in 2007....O'Brian was one of the key architects of the Uff-detailed fraud at the company.....and Richard Freeman was working in the Legal Department at the same time....

Mary King Racist

July 23, 2010 by From Foreign, 1 week 15 hours ago
Comment id: 738

Today, Mary King fired all of Udecott's black / afro managers. Only one of the four has been at the company for more than two years....meaning none of them were at the company long enough to engage in the fraud detailed in the UFF commission report....what was her rationale? What about the remaining white, whitish, and Indian managers - the vast majority of whom were at the company for several years. What are they all not guilty? Word on the street is that Mary King's agenda is to target and victimize blacks. Hope that isn't true.

You're not making sense...

July 23, 2010 by Edmund Gall, 1 week 12 hours ago
Comment id: 741

... Hon. Min. Mary King is married to a person of colour. So your claim of her being racist holds absolutely no water.

And, frankly, it's extremely cowardly to incorrectly accuse someone of being racist in a public forum without using your own true identity to create the post.

Brave ONe

April 5, 2010 by From Foreign, 16 weeks 5 days ago
Comment id: 356

I think you are very brave to put this out there to let the public know what happens behind closed door at UDeCOTT You could not put up your name because you are still employed there and they will victimize you if you spoke openly I know. I hope people get the real picture of how things are done in side there through your eyes and remember come election day

Childish

April 1, 2010 by From Foreign, 17 weeks 2 days ago
Comment id: 341

This person clearly has a radioactive axe to grind. The author, obviously a disgruntled (female, afro) employee has a nice long list, but offers little more than name calling and gossip. No serious person could put stock in such a childish, schoolyard screed.

Enough of the race issue.

April 1, 2010 by Taran Rampersad, 17 weeks 2 days ago
Comment id: 344

For all you know, a man of East Indian origin wrote the comment you're responding to. in claiming someone stepped over a line, you stepped over a line.

Coward

March 31, 2010 by From Foreign, 17 weeks 2 days ago
Comment id: 340

The author of this rumourfest about the UDeCOTT COO, should come out of hiding and defend your allegations. It's way to easy to write a pack of lies and then hide behind anonymity. Coward!!!

Pot. Kettle. Black.

April 1, 2010 by Taran Rampersad, 17 weeks 1 day ago
Comment id: 345

Seriously. Anonymity? 'Nuff said.

Lies, innuendo, rumour about Neelanda Rampaul

March 31, 2010 by From Foreign, 17 weeks 2 days ago
Comment id: 339

Are people so gullible to believe trumped up lies, innuendo and rumours, viciously spread to taint peoples' characters.

message from Carl Khan

March 21, 2010 by From Foreign, 18 weeks 5 days ago
Comment id: 310

This is the email address for Mr. Vernon DeLima who along with others is at the forefront of fighting this UDeCOTT/Calder Hart corruption, he has been a great source of support and inspiration to me during what has been for me a very stressful period.

behrensdelima@gmail.com

Please email me directly.

March 19, 2010 by Taran Rampersad, 19 weeks 19 hours ago
Comment id: 309

taran.a.rampersad@gmail.com

You wanted the attention. Lets not waste it. There is some involved in the investigation who would like to speak with you.

I wish you hadn't posted anonymously.

March 18, 2010 by Taran Rampersad, 19 weeks 1 day ago
Comment id: 308

If your allegations are true, the people accused do have a right to face their accuser. That said, I won't delete your comment simply because it could be legitimate. If it isn't, well, we've left room for that with this comment.

Really, you should be talking to the people investigating UDECOTT instead of posting anonymously. More credibility that way. I can put you on to some people if you want. ;-)

How dare you!

March 30, 2010 by From Foreign, 17 weeks 3 days ago
Comment id: 334

Pontificate on what should or should not be done, are you aware of the fate of whistle blowers Worldwide. Say what you know (anonymously) but watch your back, it's the Trini way of staying alive.

Sure, Sure...

March 30, 2010 by Taran Rampersad, 17 weeks 3 days ago
Comment id: 335

The Trini way you describe seems to not be working too well for the nation.

Pontificate? Funny. I just see it as doing something different in the hope of a different result. That's not pontification.

Pingback

March 9, 2010 by Global Voices Online » Trinidad & Tobago: (not verified), 20 weeks 3 days ago
Comment id: 273

[...] KnowTnT.com says of the Calder Hart issue: “It simply astounds me that it took so long and got so far out of control. A Prime Minister defends a man 45 times. And it astounds me that the Opposition was so deeply involved with its collective pants around its ankles that they managed to scare off the prey instead of capture it.” Cancel this reply [...]

A few other unsung heroes...

March 9, 2010 by Edmund Gall, 20 weeks 4 days ago
Comment id: 271

First, a lot of the damning allegations were uncovered during the Commission of Enquiry into the construction sector, which was launched by the PM only when UNC MP Ramesh Lawrence-Maharaj accused Calder Hart of being related to directors of a company that won a UDeCOTT contract.  So Ramesh and Prof. Uff, the CoE chairman, deserve some credit, the latter for not allowing UDeCOTT lawyers to ride roughshod over the proceedings.

Also, it was the COP's legal team which sought and obtained birth and marriage certificates from the Malaysian authorities to prove the relationship accusations true (subject to verification of the certificates).  Making these public last week appeared to be the coup de grace for Mr Hart.  It makes the government look even worse, since if representatives of a political party that's not even in Parliament - in effect normal citizens - got evidence from Malaysia which the government did not, even though one would've thought the latter would be better placed to get it.  You may think this would be expected government behaviour, since they won't spend time investigating anything they found to be spurious.  However, this accusation gained weight when UDeCOTT failed to challenge the evidence of Mrs Hart's ex-husband, Carl Khan, in the enquiry, in which he made the same accusation.  Failing to challenge in such circumstances amounted to an admission of guilt, and thus one would've expected the government to investigate further.  That they didn't - and were shown up so spectacularly by the COP - shows that the current government isn't interested in treating its sores.

True

March 9, 2010 by Taran Rampersad, 20 weeks 4 days ago
Comment id: 272

For better or worse, I see the work of those other people as within the framework of their jobs. This would apply to the media as well - but when I stopped reading about UDECOTT in the newspapers (yes, I did), the media was simply regurgitating what it was told. I gave them an acknowledgement here despite the fact that they were probably fed the information because I'm trying to be fair with the media. Because I had to explain that, I suppose they fail the acid test...

I named Rowley because he put himself beyond his party to do what he did. He stuck his neck out. I'm not sure that anyone else really did.

Unsung Heroes

March 15, 2010 by From Foreign, 19 weeks 5 days ago
Comment id: 283

I think Carl Khan who came forward and provided sworn testimony that implicated Hart is the true hero in this whole saga. The information that the COP were able to recover were as a direct result of his testimony. With COP's Vernon DeLima as his attorney he no doubt gave the COP additional details that helped them to source the information, after all Malaysia is a big place with a lot of people named Lee. Additionally, it takes a lot of cojones and guts to stand-up to a Government, it's Prime Minister and his favorite blue eyed czar.

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