Even as Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson continues to deny ever receiving jewellery presents over the years from the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) and Asphalt Plant, a preliminary review of other agencies covered by his then ministry reveals numerous purchases for him and his then junior minister Annette Ferguson.
On one occasion, Ferguson’s personal assistant requested where the purchase should be made and the date it should be delivered, documents seen by Stabroek News revealed.
Noted too was that last year, during the elections impasse, gifts were still being purchased by Ministry of Public Infrastructure agencies. The Transport and Harbours Department in May, purchased jewellery for $33,500 and a bottle of perfume for $14,000 as a present for Patterson. With VAT included, the items came up to $54,720.