A
alexk
Guest
A non-issue is how La Brea MP Nicole Olivierre regards a telephone recording allegedly between herself and Rural Development and Local Government Minister Kazim Hosein that raised concerns about the award of Community-based Environmental Protection and Enhancement Programme (CEPEP) contracts.
When asked for a comment on the issue at a community health fair at the Palo Seco Government Primary School on Friday, Olivierre initially declined to comment on the recording. Pressed further, she said, “I am observing what’s out there and if legal action is warranted. I am honestly not paying any attention to it. As far as I am concerned, it is a non-issue which I am not commenting on,” she said.
However, she neither confirmed nor denied whether it was her voice on the recording. While it is not something she is focussed on, Olivierre said if her name is tarnished in any way then she may have to do what she needs to do.
Last Tuesday, former People’s Partnership minister Devant Maharaj forwarded the voice recording to the media and called on Police Commissioner Stephen Williams to launch an investigation into the recording.
Maharaj claimed the recording, which was allegedly made by a whistleblower who claims he was a former employee of Hosein, suggested a collusion and conspiracy in the award of CEPEP contracts.
Hosein also did not admit it was his voice on the recording. But in his defence, Hosein said he speaks with all MPs, as well as the Opposition, on many matters, including Cepep contracts and he directs them to contact the board of the company, which has responsibility for such matters.
Both Government and Opposition MPs have also admitted that the practice of MPs recommending contractors to Cepep is not new and has been done over the years.
The health fair, which featured several institutions and people involved in health care and healthy lifestyles, was hosted by Elan Events with Olivierre’s support.