And the contract that David Gegg’s Cruise Solutions is almost as difficult to get rid of as the offending structure in Jalacte. There have been a number of legal opinions pointing to various illegalities in the agreement that should make it null and void. But not so fast. Today the Prime Minister told us that he is aware of those inconsistencies, it’s just that cancelling the contract would be complicated. First, because Gegg signed it in good faith and second, because cancelling it could make government of NICH liable. So while it is a decision for the Board of NICH to make, he told the press that as far as Cabinet is concerned, the contract should stand.
Hon. Dean Barrow,
“In our view, NICH would have to pay a boat load of damages to Mr. Gegg if it repudiated the contract. Cabinet felt that the lesser of the two evils would be to maintain the contract but all things went wrong because there was not the kind of respect that the law allows for the autonomy of NICH and so we made it plain that ultimately it would be a matter for NICH but I have no difficulty in telling you how Cabinet felt. There is no question of concealing what our view was in this matter.”
Jules Vasquez,
Would you speak about the standing of the Minister of Culture as regards his portfolio? There have been reports that he will be stripped.
Hon. Dean Barrow,
“I think he stands about 5 feet 4 inches high.”
Jules Vasquez,
His standing as specifically regards his Culture portfolio. There are reports that he will be stripped of that portfolio.
Hon. Dean Barrow,
“He is still the Minister of Culture.”
Two members of the NICH board have resigned, we presume in protest, since the Haylock/Gegg troubles arose in late December.
And in our last bit from today’s press conference, the Prime Minister also inferred that he has been or could be called upon as a good faith mediator between the Office of the Attorney General and the Judiciary. As we’ve reported, AG Wilfred Elrington dropped bombs on the bench when he addressed at the ceremonial opening of the bar on Monday. Barrow today told us that he had heard of, but not heard Elrington’s remarks, but one thing he did know for sure, it didn’t go down well with the judiciary.
Hon. Dean Barrow,
“Judicial feathers have been ruffled and I certainly wish to express the hope that hurt feelings might be assuaged. I believe that the Attorney General would have absolutely no difficulty in the point of view I am expressing and if I can help in anyway, in terms of trying to bridge any differences that appear to have arisen between the judiciary and the Attorney General, I am very much disposed to do that.”
