Opposition MP Colm Imbert claimed yesterday that a contractor was given a "head start'' to construct a multi-million- dollar light rail system over the Priority Bus Route (PBR)—stretching all the way from Port of Spain to Arima.

However, Transport Minister Devant Maharaj said the Opposition was deluded and this was not the case, maintaining that the project was to be funded by the private sector investment with Government acting as a facilitator.

At a news conference at the Leader of the Opposition's Office, at Charles Street, Port of Spain, Imbert again raised concerns over the Transport Ministry's move to invite the private sector to partner with the Government to finance, construct, operate and maintain a light rail transit system from Port of Spain to Arima.

He had first raised the matter as a definite matter of public importance during last Friday's sitting of the Lower House.

He noted that the advertisement for the project gives the contractor just four weeks to make a proposal.

"It begs the question, 'has the Government given someone advance notice of this project? Is it that some contractor was forewarned about this project, given months to prepare their documentation and this advertisement was just a formality paying lip service to the whole question of accountability and transparency?' I am satisfied that that may very well be the case, that there is someone out there who was given a head start....and this ad was just a pappyshow, just to pretend transparency," said Imbert yesterday.

Imbert reiterated that this was in breach of the Central Tenders Board, who he said should have been responsible for the tendering process for a project above $1 million.

He further took issue with Maharaj's statement that Government was just a facilitator in the project and taxpayers money will not be utilised as it will all be privately funded.

Imbert said this project will involve tax concessions and other waivers to the tune of millions.

"No contractor is going to come to this country and put out $5 to $10 billion to build a bridge over the bus route without getting all sorts of financial concessions, duty waivers investments and so on from the Government," said Imbert.

Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley also criticised Government's about turn on the proposed multi-billion dollar rapid rail issue, saying they had "demonised" the project when it was under the People's National Movement.

Contacted yesterday, Maharaj refuted Imbert's suggestion that a contractor is being favoured for the project.

He said the advertisement for the project was sent all over the world inviting interested persons to come and invest in the project.

"We still stand against the rapid rail and how it was undertaken through the PNM squandermania model," said Maharaj adding that through Government's new plan, there will be no wastage.

—Anna Ramdass