Former APNU+AFC Minister of Finance Winston Jordan who was yesterday charged (see other story below) over the sale of waterfront property to BK International at a price allegedly far below market value had been cautioned in January of 2019 via the Ministry of Public Works that the transaction could lead to charges against him and other culpable officers.
The advice was proffered at the request of then Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Works, Kenneth Jordan, by attorney-at-law Ronald Burch-Smith but Minister Jordan nevertheless went ahead with the deal which yesterday landed him in court. According to the advice which was circulated to the media yesterday, Burch-Smith said that he had been informed by the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) that the properties were of general importance as they abut property currently used by T&HD and the sale would impede the expansion of those properties.
He added that the T&HD was of the general view that the proposed terms of the sale would result in the transfer of property to private ownership at disproportionately low rates.