The controversial sale of land at `Pradoville 2’ is still engaging the attention of the police and Attorney General Basil Williams favours a criminal investigation which will allow for all the evidence to be reeled in.
Stabroek News has been able to gather that investigators have been working diligently to ensure that they build a case and will be receiving legal advice early this week.
An investigation done by the State Asset Recovery Unit (SARU) discovered that the lands were sold for far less than they were worth. Among those who benefited from the arrangement are former president Bharrat Jagdeo, Jennifer Westford, Priya Manickchand, Clement Rohee and Robert Persaud, all members of the PPP/C. Ex-army chief Gary Best and Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack arealso on the list of beneficiaries.
Williams had previously spoken about possible civil action in the matter. When approached last Thursday he was more in favour of a criminal investigation.
He told Stabroek News that government is yet to deal with the matter and added that “evidence and status of the matter still have to be concluded.”
According to Williams, before the matter can come to him for civil action to be taken he needs the evidence and to know what stage the matter is at.
“They have to bring in everything,” he said before pointing out that they will need to present a case. In this regard, government would need all the necessary evidence.
He expressed the belief that the matter should be handled criminally before any attempt is made at filing a civil action. He said that once the criminal process had ended, the civil side of the matter could be explored.
“It should be a criminal issue,” he stressed adding that such a process will be more effective.
Despite the fact that there would be a conflict of interest, SARU Head Dr Clive Thomas said that on October 16 he sent the report to the DPP’s chamber. She acknowledged receipt of it several days later.
The SARU report which was seen by Stabroek News states, “The lands were sold to the former ministers and known friends and associates of the previous regime. At the time of the sale the lands were grossly undervalued and sold substantially lower than the market value for the land thereby depriving the state of its full benefits.” It added that the lands were sold for $114 per square foot.
The document also noted that transfers and subsequent sales of properties had conditions attached such as the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) would have to sign off on any sale before 10 years of ownership.
Manickchand, it said, sold her land to Dave Naraine for $100 million on February 21, 2013, three years after the purchase of the said land, without any written permission from the CHPA thereby being in breach of Clause C of the conditions attached by CHPA.
It added that Persaud’s land was transferred into the names of relatives. On September 18, 2014 the said land was sold to LSR Company for $90 million without any written permission from CHPA thereby being in breach of Clause C.
The document further said that the overseer of the Industry/Plaisance NDC has indicated that no rates have been paid since
occupancy of the land.
SARU’s investigations have revealed that a decision was taken by Cabinet in 2010 for the land to be privatised.
This decision was done without any authorization and approval from the relevant bodies.
Several feasibility studies were conducted at the behest of Cabinet and huge sums of monies were spent to develop the land.
The unit, in its recommendation, said the former ministers could be held liable for misconduct in public office and that the Attorney-General may institute proceedings against them.
Best had confirmed ownership of lands at `Pradoville 2’ and said that he was aware of an investigation. Best, who retired from the army in 2013 and is currently Presidential Adviser on the Environment, declined to comment further given that the matter was engaging the attention of the AG and may be referred to the DPP.
He said that when a conclusion has been reached, whatever are the findings, “It will take its normal course.”
When he bought the land in September 2012, he was heading the army.
Jagdeo had pointed out that he would not say much on the issue as it is sub judice but stressed that the public has an incorrect understanding of the transactions.
He owns almost two acres of land in the scheme, and he currently resides there.
Jagdeo had said that it was unfair to calculate the profits made on homes sold by ministers in the controversial housing scheme by using the value of the empty land as the base.
“They did not sell a land. They sold a land and a house. They bought the land from the government so when you talk about this 2000 percentage profit margin you are comparing the selling price (of land and house) with the land price,” Jagdeo had said in defence of his former ministers.
