PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – DAYS before the FIFA World Cup kicks off in South Africa, association Vice-President Jack Warner has been asked by the Trinidad & Tobago Opposition Leader to either give up his position in FIFA or his ministerial appointment over a perceived conflict of interest.
Following the May 24 general elections in Trinidad & Tobago, Warner was returned as the Parliamentary representative for Chaguanas West and was subsequently appointed as the Minister of Works and Transport by Prime Minister Kamla Persaud-Bissessar.
Opposition Leader Dr. Keith Rowley stated late last week, however, that his first order of business in his newly appointed position would be to investigate a conflict of interest on Warner’s part by holding executive positions in both FIFA and the government.
Speaking at his appointment ceremony, Rowley said that Warner’s holding of both positions violated Trinidad & Tobago’s Integrity in Public Life legislation.
“One of the first things I would do is to write a letter to the Integrity Commission for an opinion as to whether in fact it is proper for a Minister of Government to hold office in any organisation, especially fee-paying office, outside of the Cabinet.
“I have some serious concerns about the propriety of a Minister of Government of Trinidad and Tobago holding executive authority in an organisation, local or foreign,” Rowley stated at the ceremony.
While Rowley stayed away from what potential conflict of interest he was questioning over, Warner’s government position would require him to disclose his financial assets and FIFA has traditionally taken a secretive stance regarding what its executive members earn annually.
According to Section 11.1 of Trinidad & Tobago’s Integrity of Public Life Act, “a person shall, within three months of becoming a person in public life, complete and file with the Commission in the prescribed form, a declaration of his income, assets and liabilities in respect of the previous year and, thereafter, on 31st May in each succeeding year that he is a person in public life”.
Warner has been a member of the FIFA executive since 1983 and has never revealed exactly how much compensation he receives for that position.
Additionally, Rowley has received backing from all of the opposition People’s National Movement MPs, who have stated that Warner would not be able to devote enough time to national affairs if he were to retain his position with FIFA.
While some supporters of the coalition government have dismissed Rowley’s attack as political jockeying, PM Persaud-Bissessar stated yesterday (June 7) that she had asked Attorney-General Anand Ramlogan to look into the matter even before Rowley raised his concerns.
“I've asked the Attorney-General to make enquiries into the matter and he is pursuing that. In fact, even before the issue arose, I had requested the Attorney-General to look into the matter,” the Trinidad & Tobago Express quoted her as saying.
Warner is currently in South Africa on obligations for the launch of the World Cup in two days, but has stated that he welcomes any search into his personal life, as he has “no secrets”.
Meanwhile, the PM said she has little concern over Warner fulfilling both roles barring any legal reason why he should not. She described him as a hard working man who is committed to the national interests.
