CEPEP has welcomed the judgment of the High Court in the matter brought by Eastman Enterprise Limited to stay the Court proceedings as a result of the Contractor’s failure to respect and honour the Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanism in the contract.
In a statement on Wednesday, CEPEP said while it has emerged victorious, it is extremely concerned about the fraudulent misrepresentation made to the Board that Cabinet had granted approval to extend over 300 contracts with its core contractors for a period of three years ending in 2029, “thereby exposing the Government of Trinidad and Tobago to expenditure to the tune of $1.4 billion.”
It described it as a “most serious matter” that “sets a dangerous precedent for corporate governance.”
The company also took note that the matter has now been referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for his attention, saying “it stands ready, willing and able to assist the DPP, Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Fraud Squad with a thorough and urgent criminal investigation into this matter.”
* The following is the full statement from the Company, following today’s judgement:
CEPEP committed to Transparency and Integrity
August 7th 2025 – CEPEP welcomes the judgment of the High Court in the matter brought by Eastman Enterprise Limited to stay the Court proceedings as a result of the Contractor’s failure to respect and honour the Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanism in the contract. Whilst the Company has emerged victorious, it is extremely concerned about the fraudulent misrepresentation made to the Board that Cabinet had granted approval to extend over 300 contracts with its Core Contractors for a period of three (3) years ending in 2029. It considers this to be a most serious matter, as it sets a dangerous precedent for corporate governance.
We take special notice of the fact that the learned Judge has seen it fit to refer to this matter to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for his attention. CEPEP stands ready, willing and able to assist the DPP, Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Fraud Squad with a thorough and urgent criminal investigation into this matter. The Company’s Board of Directors was deceived into extending over 300 Contractors’ contracts, thereby exposing the Government of Trinidad and Tobago to expenditure to the tune of $1.4 billion. This decision was taken by CEPEP’s Board on the basis of information that was allegedly provided by ex-line Minister for CEPEP, Mr. Al-Rawi SC, to the now ex- Chairman, Mr. Joel Edwards, that Cabinet had authorised and approved the extension of all CEPEP Core contracts.
CEPEP’s Executive Management and its Board of Directors acted on the false premise that it was simply ratifying and implementing a Cabinet directive and instruction. We now know this to be untrue. It is clear that Mr. Edwards’ unambiguous representation to CEPEP’s Board left no room for doubt, as evidenced by his message to the CEO, Mr. Keith Eddy, Corporate Secretary/Head Legal, Ms. Nicole Gopaulsingh and his fellow Board Members: Mr. Brian Rock, Mrs. Camille Hosein, Mr. Wendell Williams, Mr. Robert Lee, Mr. Kirt Bernard, Mrs. Geeta Rampersad, Mr. Thomas Sanoir, Mrs. Maurissa Smith, Mr. Michael Seales and
Mrs. Yinka Jagbir-Garcia, in a Whatsapp Group that was exclusively used for communicating with high-level Management and fellow Board members. In that fateful message, he stated that Cabinet had granted the necessary approval.
All Board Members had a fiduciary duty to act in the best interest of the Company; and if any of them had information to the contrary, it was not disclosed to Executive Management. There was simply no mention of any “error” as is now being belatedly raised.
CEPEP has noted the utterances of its former line Minister, Mr. Al-Rawi SC, at a recent Press Conference held at the Office of the Opposition Leader, where he sought to address this troubling issue regarding his involvement in the fraudulent misrepresentation to the CEPEP’s Board. While Mr. Al-Rawi spoke at length about the issue, unfortunately, he did not address the central burning issue of whether he informed ex-Chairman, Mr. Joel Edwards, that Cabinet had granted approval for CEPEP to extend these contracts mere days before the General Election.
CEPEP has been placed in an extremely embarrassing and compromised position. The former Chairman made an explicit statement to the CEO that Cabinet had granted approval for the extension of these contracts. Only a member of the Cabinet will know if such a decision was in fact taken. CEPEP’s CEO, Mr. Eddy, was clear in his evidence to the Court, that Mr. Edwards confirmed that he was advised by then Minister, Mr. Al-Rawi SC, that Cabinet had granted approval for the extension of these contracts. This was the basis upon which CEPEP’s Management and then Board acted.
In his affidavit, Mr. Edwards did not deny Mr. Eddy’s evidence in this regard. Instead, he preferred the incredible explanation that there was an error in the Board Note. The contemporaneous evidence shows that Mr. Edwards never informed CEPEP’s Management or Board that there was any mistake, far less the need for correction of same. Indeed, there is no message in the WhatsApp group about this alleged mistake.
CEPEP therefore calls upon all former Board Members to clear the air on this matter. If any former Board Member was advised by Mr. Edwards that there was an error in the Board Note because the statement that Cabinet had approved the extension of the contracts was false, they have a duty to speak out and clear the air in the interest of good governance, transparency and accountability. CEPEP is in possession of every single email sent by Board Members ratifying the decision of the Cabinet to extend these contracts. There is no mention of any mistake in the emails sent from the Directors, forty-eight (48) hours before the General Election when they voted via round robin in support of ratifying and implementing the Cabinet’s decision.
CEPEP welcomes the referral of this matter by the High Court to the DPP. Sworn affidavit evidence has already been given by CEO, Mr. Keith Eddy and ex-Chairman, Mr. Joel Edwards. Unfortunately, Senator Al-Rawi SC, who has been very vocal about this case, did not file any evidence on this important issue as it relates to the alleged fraud perpetuated against the Company. We therefore call upon him to clear the air in the public interest. CEPEP remains committed to the principles of transparency, integrity and accountability.
As a responsible corporate body that is funded by taxpayers, we have a duty to ensure that we serve the public interest in an honest and responsible manner. But for the representation that Cabinet had approved the extension of over 300 Core contracts, the Company would not have taken such a decision in the days leading up to a before a General Election. CEPEP therefore intends to seek legal advice on this matter and shall leave no stone unturned, because it is determined to get to the truth. If the Company was deceived into taking this decision, then there will be legal consequences and the chips will fall where they must.