Saying that he understood forensic accountant Bob Lindquist found nothing wrong at the Cleaver Heights housing project, NH International boss Emile Elias yesterday demanded that Government make public Lindquist’s findings on the controversial project.

Speaking at a news conference at his Long Circular, St James office, Elias recalled that it was ’with much fanfare’ that Housing Minister Emily Gaynor Dick-Forde, ’not satisfied with the investigations done by Gerry McCaffrey’, announced that Government had appointed the famous forensic accountant, Lindquist.

’Well that was six months ago,’ he said.

’And I am now demanding that the forensic investigation by Mr Lindquist be made public. My understanding is that Mr Lindquist has found absolutely nothing wrong.’

Elias said McCaffrey formally approached him in March-April and asked to come and see him. He said he suggested that he review the documents that the Housing Development Corporation had provided to McCaffrey, and then let him know if he still needed to talk to him.

’Well, months passed. He got the documents I presume, and after many inquires, he advised me in June that he had no need to talk to us. So I have to conclude that like Mr McCaffrey he found nothing (wrong),’ Elias said, adding that Lindquist had given him an assurance that if there was going to be ’half a sentence of criticism, he would speak with me’.

’So I am now asking Minister Dick and those others who persist in conducting this vendetta against NHIC on what is a spectacular project, to come out and say openly what did Mr Lindquist tell them,’ Elias stated. He said Government must say whether Lindquist’s report was verbal or in writing and what was the outcome of his investigations.

Elias noted that in the context of the recent flooding, not one property or road at Cleaver Heights was flooded out.

’Yet the Commission of Enquiry has had its terms of reference expanded to include examining drainage at Cleaver Heights. Now why don’t they examine drainage at Morvant/Barataria Roundabout or PTSC, et cetera,’ he said.

The Cleaver Heights controversy had its genesis in statements by Prime Minister Patrick Manning in the Parliament last September, when he called on sacked Minister Keith Rowley, who once held the Housing Ministry portfolio, to account for a $10 million discrepancy in the contract documents.