Minister dismisses WASA hiring claims, accuses PNM of hypocrisy

Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath has firmly rejected allegations of an "employment racket" at the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA), asserting his satisfaction with the information provided and vowing not to be swayed by the Opposition.

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First of all, I have no intention to dance to the tune of the PNM nor its agents inside and outside of WASA or anywhere else in the public service.

Padarath stated he has "no intention to dance to the tune of the PNM nor its agents inside and outside of WASA." He addressed scrutiny surrounding the recruitment of nine influencers among 416 individuals hired at WASA since the current government took office after the April 28 general election last year. The Opposition Chief Whip, Marvin Gonzales, has criticized the hiring exercise, claiming bloggers were brought in as part of a political propaganda operation.

"These persons are eligible for employment just like anybody else and once they went through the process, I have no difficulty with WASA hiring persons who have gone through the necessary process to legitimately be hired at WASA," Padarath said in an interview. He emphasized that his role as line minister does not extend to WASA's day-to-day human resources or financial operations. "As I have said, once people went through a process that WASA is satisfied with through their Human Resource department, I am comfortable with the information that WASA has supplied to me."

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Further, there was a process to hire persons. When hiring at WASA was raised with me, I did indicate that WASA had advised that some of these persons were on short-term contracts.

Padarath questioned the "disingenuous" and "ridiculous" suggestion that the individuals were hired for reasons other than their job specifications. He also countered by mentioning popular bloggers and others who he claims were financed through government contracts by the previous People's National Movement administration to criticize the United National Congress. "So, spare me the hypocrisy," he added.

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These persons are eligible for employment just like anybody else and once they went through the process, I have no difficulty with WASA hiring persons who have gone through the necessary process to legitimately be hired at WASA.

Meanwhile, Gonzales reiterated his claims on social media, stating he had exposed the "employment racket" two months prior. He alleged that part of the scheme involved recruiting bloggers whose primary role was not to improve water supply but to "malign, destroy and 'stink up' the names of anyone who dare criticise this UNC Government."

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I do not sit in the HR division or the finance division or the procurement division of WASA and therefore the company continues to operate.