NESol’s board chairman’s presence is required – PAAC
Published:Monday | October 1, 2018 | 12:00 AM
Oswald Williams, chairman of the board of the National Energy Solutions Limited (NESol), has been summoned to appear before tomorrow's sitting of the Public Administration and Appropriations Committee (PAAC) of Parliament.
He is to answer questions relating to the ongoing probe into allegations of cronyism, nepotism and corruption involving entities under the Ministry of Energy, Science and Technology.
PAAC chairman, Dr Wykeham McNeill, said hours before last week's meeting he became aware of a letter from Williams, dated September 21. Williams' letter to Audrey Sewell, permanent secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, informed her that at his direction, a forensic audit is now taking place.
"I think this is necessary to bring clarity to all the issues, including the way in which contracts have been awarded ... ," it read.
"The exercise, I am told, will take another six weeks. In light of this, I kindly ask the PAAC meeting chairman for postponement until the report is ready, a copy of which will be supplied," it ended.
LETTER COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE
Some members were not amused, especially as Camile Buchanan and Carolyn Warren - though resigned from their posts - had made themselves available for the sitting.
"Personally speaking, I am not inclined. I believe certainly that Mr Williams' presence is important for clarity at the committee," McNeill concluded.
A long debate followed on what procedure should be adopted by the PAAC to get his presence.
"Chairman, I find the letter completely unacceptable. In the letter, Mr Williams is seeking to shift the responsibility of a board to the management. I think you might now have to use the next approach which is to compel him to be present," said Phillip Paulwell, former minister with responsibility for the ministry.
Committee member Fayval Williams said the letter should be taken at face value, as he is not averse to appearing, while Franklyn Witter said that if Williams is seeking to inform himself, he should be allowed. Dwayne Vaz and Michael Stewart both said Williams should be compelled to attend.
Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert said the PAAC should not be so eager for its pound of flesh. McNeill said it was the view of the legal adviser to the PAAC that the committee had the power to summon Williams, but member Leslie Campbell objected.
In the end, McNeill said Williams would be strongly asked to be there.
Also absent was Anthony Brown, the chief engineer who was sent on leave from NESol, which created the need for operations engineer, for which Laurence Pommels was hired. Pommels remained a signing officer seven months after Brown returned.
Pommels is currently facing money-laundering charges.