Balisier bombshell

Explain your wealth.

High Court Judge Margaret Mohammed has granted an Order to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) to compel the People’s National Movement (PNM) to explain its funding for the multimillion-dollar construction of its Balisier House, Port of Spain, headquarters.

The application names the trustees of the PNM as the first respondent; and the PNM, represented by its general secretary, as the second respondent.

The application alleges there are reasonable grounds to suspect that:

1. the total wealth of the respondents exceeds the value of their lawfully obtained wealth;

2. the total wealth of the respondents exceeds $500,000;

3. the property in question is owned by the respondents or is under their effective control; and

4. the property was obtained through the commission of a specified offence.

The police asked the court to compel the PNM and its trustees to file declarations and answer questions relating to their assets and wealth.

Note : Interesting days lies ahead.

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‘Corrupt arrangements’

Accompanying the application was a 21-page affidavit from ASP Phillip who alleged that Balisier House complex may have been financed, in part, through corrupt arrangements involving government contractors who allegedly received favorable treatment in the award of State contracts during the PNM’s decade in office. According to Phillip, the report estimates that the total construction cost of the New Building, upon completion, will be approximately $118.4 million, while the value of work already completed is estimated at approximately $73.272 million.

Phillip stated that police were unaware of any legitimate source of income available to the PNM that could finance a project of that magnitude.

He noted that construction ceased after the PNM lost the April 28, 2025, general election.

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Phillip’s affidavits names several contractors.

It alleges Woodgreen Construction Services Ltd initially submitted a bid of approximately $68.3 million for the main construction contract but later agreed to reduce the price to approximately $59 million, representing a reduction of around $9 million.

Phillip alleged the reduced pricing may have been linked to favourable treatment in future State contracts.

He pointed to subsequent HDC contracts awarded to Woodgreen and related entities, including a $22 million housing contract in San Fernando in 2019 and the Citrus Close housing development contract awarded in 2023.