Kamla slams AG for seeking to eliminate procurement legislation

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Kamla slams AG for seeking to eliminate procurement legislation

Opposition leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar has slammed Attorney General Reginald Armour for his statement that the Government “is not prepared” to implement the procurement legislation.

In a statement on Friday, Persad-Bissessar said, “Without any hint of self-awareness Attorney General Armour arrogantly proclaimed that implementing this legislation which would allow for full transparency and accountability in the acquisition and sale of state assets would be a “disaster” for the PNM Government.

She said, “As far back as 2020, Procurement regulator Moonilal Lalchan was quoted in the media saying “we don’t know what is keeping them back”, in relation to the failure by the Rowley regime to fully proclaim the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property Act.”

“Now, two years later and a full seven years since the People’s Partnership Government first passed this groundbreaking legislation, citizens have yet to see its benefits, all due to the Rowley regime’s willful obstruction and diversions.”

Persad-Bissessar added, “It should be noted that when the Procurement Regulator appeared before the Public Accounts Committee, it was revealed that the vast majority of state agencies were not ready for the implementation of the legislation.

“This means that the Rowley Government purposely delayed the implementation of this legislation by not providing the required resources to ensure compliance. Hence, the Rowley regime has deliberately sabotaged the implementation of any real procurement legislation.”

She said, “The fact that even after gutting the legislation and twisting it to suit their needs, the Judiciary has told the Attorney General there is an issue with “the Separation of powers” is proof that this Rowley regime continues to bring faulty legislation to the Parliament.

“The Opposition is fully vindicated for voting against the gutting of the Procurement Act in December 2020 as well as in leading a “Repeal the Procurement Act” campaign because it is clear this legislation is flawed.
It is clear that as long as the PNM Government remains in office, citizens of Trinidad and Tobago will continue to be denied the transparency and accountability they deserve.”

Persad-Bissessar said, “We will not allow AG Armour to use this procurement issue as a distraction from his untruths, arrogance and the plunging of his office into disrepute.
It is abhorrent that this Attorney General now famous for lying to a United States court is now actively seeking to eliminate a piece of legislation designed to ensure accountability and transparency.”

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