Mediation is defined as any attempt to bring about a peaceful settlement or compromise between disputants through the objective intervention of a neutral party. In authentic mediation the process is objective, the mediator is a disinterested third party, and both parties must be open to compromise. Dr. Armstrongs independent review committee failed on all counts! Further, the JCC has an executive which includes Emile Elias and other self-interested contractors. Clearly the process was tainted by the absence of good-will. In its latest call, the stipulation of an inflexible conditionality as a pre-condition for mediation renders the entire process a farce. In his response to the Hon. Prime Ministers show of good faith - and payment of TT$800,000.00 - Dr. James Armstrong co-opted the services of some twenty one professionals chosen by either the HRM, possibly the JCC and by Dr. Armstrong himself. Included among these eminently qualified professionals were Eden Shand, Ivan Laughlin, Ms. Sunity Maharaj a communications expert, frequent columnist and political activist, Trevor Townsend, former chairman of the PTSC and Dr. Philbert Morris a transportation expert. All of these people have a vested interest in providing professional services in the area of construction, civil engineering works and transportation. The JCCs whistle-blowing and criticisms of procurement practice and disclosures of corrupt practices have all been noticeably selective. They have been instrumental in raising questions concerning the Piarco construction and thumping their chests with regard to the Uff Commission and its recommendations. On the other hand they have said precious little with regard to comments made in that Report with regard to the scandalous cost overruns, shoddy work, incompetence and the use of verbal arrangements rather than written contractual arrangements between themselves and the PNM administration. Whilst they are keen on implying corruption and a lack of transparency, they portray themselves as above reproach and have been selective in their silence on some of the scandalous waste, corruption and gross incompetence involved in fiascoes such as the Brian Lara Academy, the Belmont Police Station, the Biche High-school, the Scarborough Hospital, Cleaver Heights, Las Alturas, the C&E building and the LA Tower (both part of the previous Governments Campus Project), the Academy of Performing Arts, the International Waterfront Project and the list goes on. The Armstrong report was skillfully framed. It was carefully crafted to direct the readers focus on only two protagonists: the Hon. Prime Minister and the government and the HRM. It is but one tactic in an ongoing strategy of disinformation that is heavily influenced by the agendas of both Dr. Kublalsingh and the JCC and its affiliates. Its omission of the intimate role of the PNM and its negligent and inhumane corruption between 2003 to February 2010, as principal in all negotiations prior to the implementation of the project in 2010 is frankly dishonest and meant to deliberately mislead the electorate. Its aim is unequivocally political and a self-interested motive is clearly evident. As such any call for further mediation must inevitably be viewed as thoroughly dishonest and deceptive and should be studiously ignored by the present government. Steve Smith
Posted on: Mon, 20 Oct 2014 12:37:28 +0000
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