The Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU) has invited several persons who acquired land at Pradoville 2 for questioning as part of an ongoing investigation, but several People’s Progressive Party Members of Parliament, including Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo are refusing to be interviewed at SOCU Headquarters.
SOCU Head, Sydney James received a letter from former Attorney General Anil Nandlall indicating that the former PPP cabinet members and sitting opposition MPs would prefer to be questioned away from SOCU Headquarters.
Nandlall said while the PPP members are not obliged to cooperate, they will, and would rather face questioning at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition.
Persons who acquired housing lots in the at Pradoville 2 include former President Bharrat Jagdeo and former Ministers Priya Manickhand, Clement Rohee, Robert Persaud, Dr. Nanda Gopaul, Shaik Baksh and Jennifer Westford along with former Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon.
Former Army Chief, retired Commodore Gary Best and Director of Public Prosecutions Shalimar Ali Hack along with several other prominent figures also accepted lands in the area and were also invited for questioning.
They have not objected.
SOCU began its investigation after a forensic audit into the land deal, found that the recipients underpaid for the lands by more than $250 million.
The audit report also pointed to the subsequent sale of the lots acquired by Priya Manickchand and Robert Persaud for $100M and $90M respectively.
The report noted that in 2010, the PPP government, through the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), also spent more than $200M to develop the sea side area.