FORMER President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has been fingered as having a hand in the award of certain contracts to Surendra Engineering Company Limited (SECL), an assertion that was emphatically rejected by Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mr. Anil Nandlall.

In an invited comment yesterday, Nandlall said, “I do not know of any connection between the former President and this company.”
SECL’s contract for the design and construction of the Specialty Hospital has been terminated by the Government after what it termed “deep concerns” over the execution of the contract, both as it relates to technical shortcomings and suspicion of fraud.
The AG noted that Dr. Jagdeo’s involvement has been to advice strong action against the offending contractor.
“He has been very firm that first, all steps be taken to deal with this contractor in a condign manner and second, that we do everything to proceed with the Specialty Hospital,” Nandlall said.
He also acknowledged that the former President’s input, from time to time, is sought by the current Administration.
Dr. Jagdeo is also a member of the ruling party’s Executive and Central Committees.

(Vanessa Narine)