Last week Thursday, 7NEWS broke the story of a secret $42 million contract former solid waste management authority Chairman David Fonseca signed on November 25 of 2005. The contract is with what appears to be a paper company, Ecology, Environment and Energy Management, or as we call them, the "three e" company. "Three E" has no physical assets that we could find, no listing in the phone book and no office, but they did have a $42 million contract signed by a functionary of the government, appointed to the post by the Ministry of Natural Resources. But despite all that, today the Prime Minister said because Fonseca ran a red with the contract signing, as far as he's concerned, there is no contract.
Alfonso Noble,
We understand that Cabinet was never aware of that contract and that the board was not aware of that contract.
Rt. Hon. Said Musa,
"That is so, no contract has come to my attention. I have not seen any contract; it has not been brought to Cabinet. In fact my understanding is that it hasn't even been approved by the ministry concerned so as far as I am concerned there is no contract."
Alfonso Noble,
Prime Minister one more question and it is regards the Cabinet shuffle.
Rt. Hon. Said Musa,
"What is done is done man, I have already made my decision. Do you want me to comment about what I've done?"
Alfonso Noble,
Yes.
Rt. Hon. Said Musa,
"I will leave that to you all. You have already commented and as far as you are concerned, there were no significant changes. I did what I thought was prudent under the circumstances and what I thought was best for the country at this time."
Indeed, when the contract first came to light in December, the Ministry of Natural Resources ordered that it be rescinded, but as we understand it, there has been no formal rescission. By the letter of the contract, the first monthly payment for $189,000 is due on April 30th, 2006. While the government will not pay - it would seem unlikely that "three e" would press the point since it is not capable of providing the services it is obligated to. As we say "unlikely," but in the world of private pigs and public pork...stranger things have happened...after all, government is still paying millions annually to a U.S. bank for an Intelco intercom system that doesn't work.
