Former ministers of the PPP/C government who accessed property in the controversial Pradoville 2 scheme should be liable for misconduct in office, according to a document forwarded by the State Assets Recovery Unit (SARU) to Attorney General Basil Williams.
Contacted last night by Stabroek News, the Attorney General confirmed that he was in receipt of the SARU document and it was being studied.
The ex ministers who benefited from land in the scheme are former Natural Resources Minister Robert Persaud, former Education Minister Priya Manickchand, former Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, former Labour Minister Dr Nanda Gopaul and former Public Service Minister Jennifer Westford. The document says nothing about any action against former President Bharrat Jagdeo as he would be covered by presidential immunity.
APNU+AFC upon entering office had vowed to pursue the recovery of state assets that it felt were improperly taken and SARU headed by Dr Clive Thomas was established.
The document seen by Stabroek News traces the origins of the Goedver-wagting Scheme on the East Coast of Demerara and the transactions of the various ministers some of whom no longer own the properties.
The document noted that in 2010 a decision was made by the Cabinet authorizing state holding company NICIL to privatize State Lands. This decision was made without any authorization and approval bodies from the relevant bodies, the document charged.
“The lands were sold to the former ministers and known friends and associates of the previous regime. At the time of the sale the lands were grossly undervalued and sold substantially lower than the