The Pradoville 2 land controversy is still very much alive but the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack who was a beneficiary of the scheme has declined to speak on the matter.
Ali-Hack along with a number of the previous government’s cabinet ministers, friends and associates benefited under an arrangement which saw them paying for seaside land at what has been described as far below market prices.
The implications for Ali-Hack are even greater as she may be asked to review a file on this matter for a determination on whether criminal charges should be brought. Were this to occur, it would be expected that she would recuse herself from the matter.
The State Assets Re-covery Unit (SARU) which looked into the matter has forwarded a file to Attorney General Basil Williams with the recommendation that he consider what steps should be taken against those who benefited from the scheme.
Last Thursday, Ali-Hack refused to speak with reporters when approached. At the time she was leaving Parliament Buildings after the National Assembly had adjourned its business for the day. When approached she repeatedly said “no comment”.
SARU’s report which was obtained by the press two weeks ago stated “At the time of the sale the lands were grossly undervalued and sold substantially lower than the market value for the land thereby depriving the state of its full benefits”. It was noted that the lands were sold for $114 per square foot.
The ministers who were said to have benefited are Jennifer Westford, Priya Manickchand, Clement Rohee and Robert Persaud. Former president Bharrat Jagdeo owns almost two acres of land in the scheme, where he currently lives.
Among the other beneficiaries listed in the report are former army chief of staff and current presidential advisor on the environment Rear Admiral (rtd) Best and Ali-Hack and her husband Moeenul Hack.
The report also noted that transfers and subsequent sales of properties had conditions attached, including that the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) would have to sign off on any sale before 10 years of ownership.
The report said Manickchand sold her land to Dave Naraine for $100 million on February 21, 2013, three years after the purchase of the land, without any written permission from the CH&PA.
The report added that Persaud’s land was transferred into the names of relatives and later sold on September 18, 2014 for $90 million without any written permission from CH&PA.
It further says that the overseer of the Industry/ Plaisance NDC indicated that no rates and taxes have been paid since occupancy of the land.
SARU’s investigations have revealed that a decision was taken by Cabinet in 2010 for the land to be privatised. This decision was made without any authorization and approval from the relevant bodies.
Several feasibility studies were conducted at the behest of Cabinet and huge sums of monies were spent to develop the land.
Attorney General Williams has signalled plans to initiate civil proceedings against the former ministers under the PPP/C administration over the controversial land sales. It is unclear whether he has started this process.
Williams has also said that he would be recommending that SARU submit its report to the DPP’s Chambers for the start of a criminal investigation. It is unclear if this has already been done.
