Many years ago, as a frustrated reporter working for the now defunct TTT, (actually, for all intents and purposes, it was defunct when I was there), I had the privilege of attending a commission of enquiry.

I say privilege because it was a dream assignment of sorts. I got to while away the entire day in Port-of-Spain and return to the office with just enough time to complete one story but not enough time to do any others.

This enquiry was actually very interesting though . It was established to investigate just how a drug lord, Deochand Ramdhanie , who was at the time before the courts,  was able to walk out of a holding cell in Princes Town and flee to Venezuela. He was released from his cell, by a police officer (whose name escapes me at this time). In fact, three officers were involved in this conspiracy. It was shocking to see just how morally malleable police officers are in this country.

Some of the shocking high points of that enquiry: the officer who was bribed to facilitate the prisoner’s release, at the time of the enquiry, was in prison on another charge , but still drawing an officer’s salary because the Police Service Commission did not have the power to fire him! Also, depending on his prevailing moods, the main witness Deochand Ramdhanie would routinely disappoint the commission by not appearing for one reason or another.

I referred to that last point to stress that a commission of enquiry is not a legally constituted court and, as such, cannot compel witnesses to appear before commissioners. When told that the primary culprit was still in the employ of the police service while incarcerated, all that the Commission Chairman Zainool Hosein could do was…express his surprise (with a little mirth as well).

 At the end of three months, the commission of enquiry produced a report of its findings to the government. That report was never heard from again ….and insult meet injury; Deochand Ramdhanie and his father were acquitted on appeal years later.

Point here is that commissions of enquiry are largely instruments of diversion. The only real outcome that one can expect from this latest pappyshow is that lawyers will make out like bandits, taxpayers will make out like paupers and it will be ‘bidness’ as usual in the construction sector and the UDECOTT.

Right now the attorneys are arguing over the facility of cross examination, a feature of court proceedings. It won’t matter even if there is capitulation because Calder Hart is only required to answer questions as he sees fit, if evidence is presented against him, all he need say is ‘that is garbage.’ (quoth Q.C. Frank Solomon)

Giving the commission the benefit of the doubt, let’s say Professor Uff does find cause for concern, indications of impropriety in the doling out of contracts; none of that will matter because at the end of the day it is the government to decide what must be done about the rogue agency they created for the very purpose of slashing through red tape with absolute deregulation and impunity.

How do you think that one will play out?