(Trinidad Express) National Security Minister Brigadier John Sandy has asked top cop Dwayne Gibbs to provide a report on the TT$900,000 contract between the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service and Trinidad and Tobago Air Support Company for the use of a light aircraft for police surveillance.
Opposition Member of Parliament Donna Cox first raised the issue of the TT$900,000 contract during Friday’s sitting of the Lower House, Tower D, Waterfront Centre, in Port of Spain.
During her contribution, Cox read from a letter of intent between Gibbs and Dirk Barnes, managing director of Trinidad and Tobago Air Support Company, about the company supplying its “Sky View Surveillance Support” as a “law enforcement aviation pilot project”.
The contract is for 720 hours use of Zenith CH 750 Air Scout Aircraft for a three-month evaluation period at a cost of TT$902,772 or US$140,400.
Cox questioned what role deputy police commissioner Jack Ewatski played in the acceptance of the contract.
Barnes, a former major in the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force, and now the managing director of the Trinidad and Tobago Air Support Company, told the Sunday Express that his arrangement to supply the light surveillance aircraft for three months to the Police Service was completely above board.
Sandy, speaking with members of the media following the 7th Compliance Conference on Anti Money Laundering held at the Hyatt Regency hotel yesterday, distanced himself from the transaction.
“I am advised that aircraft has not been acquired but is on a trial basis but I think the Commissioner of Police will be better poised to elaborate on that,” Sandy said.
“The Commissioner of Police is the accounting officer for the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service and, as such, he has the authority to do what he wants with it,” he said.
“If it was something that was done by the Ministry of National Security by my permanent secretary then I would have all the answers for you. It was done by the accounting officer of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, who happens to be the Commissioner,” Sandy said.
Sandy said since the contract was raised by Cox last Friday, he spoke to Gibbs every day since then on the issue and expected to receive a report on the matter.
“I spoke with him (Gibbs) on Friday after the Parliament, I spoke with him on Saturday as well, and (Sunday) morning at the church service. When I get the document in writing then I would be able to comment,” Sandy said.
Sandy was expected to receive the report yesterday.
