WHEN a public official acts recklessly in disregard of a public duty knowing fully that by his/her action can cause damage to the public interest and risk human lives, that is a criminal offence known as misconduct in public office.
So said former Attorney General Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj yesterday at a press conference held at the Oilfield Workers’ Trade Union Paramount Building at Circular Road in San Fernando. Maharaj, who is one of several attorneys representing the Highway Re-route Movement in a High Court action, was making reference with regards to the construction of the Debe-Mon Desir section of the Solomon Hochoy Highway.
Maharaj yesterday called for adherence to the findings of the Armstrong Report.
“She got the report and does nothing about it. If the Government proceeds without heeding the findings, human lives and the natural environment would be adversely affected. In effect the report was saying that it would be reckless, negligent and an abuse of power to proceed with this project in this part of the highway,” Maharaj said.
He is calling on the Commissioner of Police and the Director of Public Prosecutions to create a special unit to monitor and examine misbehaviour in public office.
The movement headed by Dr Wayne Kublalsingh does not want the extension of the Solomon Hochoy Highway from San Fernando to Point Fortin to be constructed within the Debe to Mon Desir route. The group is citing damage to the environment as well as disruption in livelihood to residents along the proposed route. Dr Kublalsingh who was present at the news conference did not speak and declined to take questions from the media.On Thursday last the Prime Minister met with Kublalsingh at the Diplomatic Centre, La Fantasie Road, St Ann’s. But the meeting ended prematurely when Persad-Bissessar walked out of the meeting.
Yesterday the former AG told reporters that when he saw the news, he was shocked that such behaviour came from the head of government. He charged: “The behaviour does not only have implications for this particular case but also in the public interest... Her action did not only constitute bad manners but also it reflects that she had not read the Armstrong Report.
“She may have forgotten the undertaking which she gave that she would heed the advice of the report.”
Kublalsingh’s sister, Judy, also speaking at the conference renewed calls for the re-route of the Debe-Mon Desir section saying that at the end of the day the Armstrong Report is a scientific, facts-based enquiry into the issue relating to the said section of the highway.
“It is the only fact-based, scientific document we have that relates to those contentious issues.
“The issue to be determined by the court is the issue of the constitutionality of the decision of the Government to commence with the construction of this contentious section of the highway,” she added.
Maharaj yesterday called for adherence to the findings of the Armstrong Report.
“She got the report and does nothing about it. If the Government proceeds without heeding the findings, human lives and the natural environment would be adversely affected. In effect the report was saying that it would be reckless, negligent and an abuse of power to proceed with this project in this part of the highway,” Maharaj said.
He is calling on the Commissioner of Police and the Director of Public Prosecutions to create a special unit to monitor and examine misbehaviour in public office.
The movement headed by Dr Wayne Kublalsingh does not want the extension of the Solomon Hochoy Highway from San Fernando to Point Fortin to be constructed within the Debe to Mon Desir route. The group is citing damage to the environment as well as disruption in livelihood to residents along the proposed route. Dr Kublalsingh who was present at the news conference did not speak and declined to take questions from the media.On Thursday last the Prime Minister met with Kublalsingh at the Diplomatic Centre, La Fantasie Road, St Ann’s. But the meeting ended prematurely when Persad-Bissessar walked out of the meeting.
Yesterday the former AG told reporters that when he saw the news, he was shocked that such behaviour came from the head of government. He charged: “The behaviour does not only have implications for this particular case but also in the public interest... Her action did not only constitute bad manners but also it reflects that she had not read the Armstrong Report.
“She may have forgotten the undertaking which she gave that she would heed the advice of the report.”
Kublalsingh’s sister, Judy, also speaking at the conference renewed calls for the re-route of the Debe-Mon Desir section saying that at the end of the day the Armstrong Report is a scientific, facts-based enquiry into the issue relating to the said section of the highway.
“It is the only fact-based, scientific document we have that relates to those contentious issues.
“The issue to be determined by the court is the issue of the constitutionality of the decision of the Government to commence with the construction of this contentious section of the highway,” she added.
