Announcement expected soon on future of embattled NWC president Mark Barnett

 

Minister with responsibility for water Matthew Samuda has said he is expecting an announcement soon on the future of National Water Commission President Mark Barnett.

 

It has been six months since Mr. Barnett was placed on administrative leave following a probe of breaches at a Charlemont Drive housing development which is owned by him and his wife.

 

Responding to a question at Wednesday morning's post Cabinet media briefing, Mr. Samuda confirmed that the NWC president remains on administrative leave. 

 

"The reports that would have come from the Integrity Commission and certainly the ruling on said reports from the DPP would have given the ministry and indeed the board of NWC great cause for concern. They have followed the processes outlined under our labour laws and our internal procedures faithfully. Based on where that situation is at this stage, I will not comment further. But I can say that I share the concerns of the public and I share the national assessment of the situation. And I expect an announcement soon," he said. 

 

In October last year, the Integrity Commission's Director of Investigation referred his Report of Investigation into the Charlemont Drive development to the DPP "for appropriate action" in keeping with the provisions of the Integrity Commission Act.

 

Mr. Barnett was sent on administrative leave from the NWC following the tabling of the report. 

 

But in January, the Director of Public Prosecution ruled that Mr. Barnett and his wife cannot be prosecuted for breaching the environmental permit for their development located at 11 Charlemont Drive, Kingston 6, as the time has expired.

 

Ms. Llewellyn said given that the breach was first identified by the National Environment and Planning Agency on December 17, 2020, prosecution should have been initiated by December 17, 2021.