UNC activist Ravi Balgobin Maharaj wants the courts to decide if the Order allowing certain exemptions under the Public Procurement Act is legal.

Days before the CARICOM Heads of Government meeting in T&T, the Finance Minister signed a  three-month Order for goods and services associated with visits by foreign dignitaries to be exempted from the Public Procurement Act.

Mr Maharaj believes the Order should have been approved by the Parliament.

During a media conference today, Barataria/San Juan MP Saddam Hosein spoke about the letter issued by Mr Maharaj’s lawyers to the AG and Finance Minister.

Mr Hosein also branded the Minister’s comments on the matter as a “weak defence”.

He insisted that Mr Imbert would have been aware of the period required to tender for goods and services, and questioned the point of the Public Procurement Act if exemptions are made.