Jet service seeks payment
By Nalinee Seelal Sunday, May 8 2011
An Executive Jet Service operating out of Miami, Florida, has written to the Office of the Prime Minister, demanding an outstanding payment of US$32,080 for the use of an executive jet made available to former Prime Minister, Patrick Manning, and a delegation for travel to Mexico from February 17 to 23, 2010.
Last week, Executive Air Services wrote to the Office of the Prime Minister indicating that the cost of rental and other services of the jet was put at US $53,080, and only US$20,000 was paid by the last administration thus far. The company even produced invoices to suggest how much it cost the company to take the former Prime Minister and his delegation to Mexico and another invoice indicating that only US$20,000 was paid for the trip. Up until yesterday the company was not paid the outstanding US$32,080 and it listed in detail the breakdown of the outstanding sum such as:
Aricraft Charter - $24,600; International Cost - $3,500; Landing Fees - $500; Miscellaneous Fee - $200; Fuel Surcharge - $3,280.
Sunday Newsday attempted to reach officials of the company for comment on the matter, but this was unsuccessful. The spokesperson for the company was not on duty and Sunday Newsday was told to call back on Monday.
Government sources revealed yesterday that it remained in the dark as to why the outstanding amount was not paid to the company, but added that now that it has been saddled with this debt it has no other choice but to pay the outstanding sum. The matter is expected to be discussed at the next sitting of Cabinet.
In a Cabinet Minute #364 and dated April 26, 2011 obtained by the Sunday Newsday, the matter was documented as follows:
RE: First Caricom-Mexico Summit, the XXI Summit of the Rio Group and the II Summit of Latin America and the Caribbean on Integration and Development and related Meetings — Cancun Mexico (Feb 17 - 23, 2010)
(2) Invoice and attachments from EAS Jet Charter Services to PS/OPM Re: Inv #2010-1030 at $32,080.
The minute stated: Permanent Secretary
Folio (2) referred for your approval please.
The charter of private jet for the former Honourable Prime Minister, Mr Manning, and contingent to go to Cancun, Mexico to attend the 1st CARICOM-Mexico Summit of the Rio Group and II Summit of Latin America and the Caribbean from February 17 to 23, 2010 at an estimated cost of $53,080 was approved by Cabinet by Minute No #364 of February 2010.
The Invoice dated February 23, 2010 from EAS Jet Charter Management for US$32,080 was received on April 11, 2011. Accountant II, Mr Ramdhanie, has advised that according to their records this invoice has not been paid to date. In view of the above your approval is sought to pay Executive Air Services the sum of US$32,080 for Air Craft Charter from February 17 to 23, 2010.
April 26, 2011.
When the former Prime Minister chartered the jet to go to the conference, Executive Air Services sent a quote for aircraft services which stated the requirements needed and what the passengers should expect while on board the jet.
The names of those who listed to travel aboard that jet service were Manning, Paula Gopee- Scoon, Kathleen Seenarine, Kirt St Bernard, Steve Daniel.
On February 21, 2010, the Office of the Prime Minister issued a media release stating the then Prime Minister Manning was leaving for Mexico to attend three summits on Caricom and Latin American relations at which Haitian President Rene Preval was due to speak.
Manning was due to meet with Mexican President Felipe Calderon Hinjosa, who issued the invitation for him (Manning) to attend the three summits in Mexico, the first ever Caricom Summit, the 21st meeting of the Rio Group and a summit on regional integration.
According to the press release, Manning departed “with a delegation of officials to Mexico for a series of meetings with Caricom heads, the president of Mexico and other officials until February 23, 2010.”
Records obtained by Sunday Newsday revealed that in 2007, Manning visited 13 countries at a total cost of approximately two million eight hundred TT dollars. In 2008 visits to 15 countries cost approximately five million, two hundred and sixteen thousand dollars. In 2009, he travelled to three countries at a cost to this country of just over seventeen thousand dollars.
