00:00Opposition Chief Whip Marvin Gonzalez is raising concerns about the employment of eight individuals at the Water and Sewage Authority,
00:08claiming there are serious questions surrounding their appointments and tenure.
00:13Speaking at a political meeting on Thursday night, Gonzalez alleged that some of those employed were linked to the United
00:20National Congress,
00:21while others were allegedly connected to corrupt activities, a trade union leader and a sitting government member of parliament.
00:28In response, Public Utilities Minister Barry Padaroff, whose ministry oversees the ongoings of WASA,
00:35said Gonzalez has become notorious for his lies and innuendos in an effort to malign and destroy persons' character in
00:44an effort to gain political currency.
00:46Padaroff said, quote,
00:48WASA has a robust HR department that follows processes to hire persons within the organization.
00:54Several persons listed above were employees of WASA under his tenure as minister, end quote.
01:02The minister also warned that legal action may follow, revealing that several of the persons named have already issued pre
01:08-action protocol letters against former Minister Gonzalez.
01:13Padaroff further turned the spotlight back on Gonzalez, questioning appointments allegedly made during his time in office and asking what
01:21recruitment process was used.
01:23Padaroff said he hopes when he starts with the revelations, Gonzalez could handle it, adding, quote,
01:29I can safely say I have no family and friend in WASA and nobody associated with me are getting WASA
01:36contracts, end quote.
01:38Meanwhile, TV6 has obtained one of the pre-action protocol letters sent on behalf of local government councillor for La
01:45Fortune Debe North Krishna Pisad Singh.
01:48In the correspondence, attorney Keston Lewis said that Pisad Singh currently serves as director of wastewater services at WASA after
01:58more than 30 years of service to the authority.
02:01The correspondent says Pisad Singh has never been dismissed, disciplined or charged with misconduct and argues that Gonzalez's comments cause
02:09reputational damage, mental distress and harm to his public standing.
02:14His attorneys are demanding that Gonzalez cease making the allegations, issue a public apology, retract the statements and provide compensation
02:23for damages.
02:25The legal letter gives Gonzalez seven days to respond as tensions continue to escalate over the controversy surrounding WASA appointments.
02:34Ravishita Wari Rupnarein, TV6 News.
02:36Ravishita Wari Rupnarein, TV6 News.
02:41Ravishita Wari Rupnarein, TV6 News.
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