Minister Roopnarine defends involvement in D’Urban project

Minister of Education, Dr. Rupert Roopnarine who was recently named as a member of the board of directors of Homestretch Development Inc. (HDI) which was involved in the construction of the D’Urban project this morning attempted to clear his name from any wrongdoing.

Making a presentation on Thursday in the National Assembly, Dr. Roopnarine said he was asked to sit on HDI’s board by President David Granger.

He clarified that he was initially Chairman of the National Commemoration Commission, which was tasked with getting the  D’Urban Park ready in time for the Golden Jubilee celebration.

According to him, the process began in the last quarter of 2015 and in January 2016 he was asked to sit on the HDI’s board.

However, in April 2016 Col Larry London, Chairman of HDI’s board informed the cabinet that the donations garnered were exhausted.

This he said lead to the Ministry of Public Infrastructure being tasked with getting the park completed.

In relation to identifying the contributors to the project, Dr. Roopnarine stated that those persons who donated funds towards the project requested not to be identified due to fear of victimisation by those who were opposed to the project.

He said it is “personally distressing” that greed and malice are now being attributed to the patriotic efforts of those, who sat on the HDI board.

The Minister also made it clear that he has never hidden behind anyone and deeply resents any information which suggests that he was involved in any form of malfeasance.