Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar confirmed yesterday that Cabinet has approved an interministerial committee to ensure proper oversight and accountability of the $7.2 billion Point Fortin highway project which falls under the purview of Works and Infrastructure Minister Jack Warner.

Asked yesterday by the Sunday Express about the decision, Persad-Bissessar responded: "Yes, it has already been set up by Cabinet...approved by Cabinet on Thursday."

Government sources said the committee includes Warner, Minister in the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure Stacy Roopnarine, Minister of Local Government Chandresh Sharma, Minister of Housing and the Environment Dr Roodal Moonilal as well as representatives from the National Infrastructure Development Company with the most likely representative being the organisation's head Dr Carson Charles.

The move to establish an interministerial committee to assist Warner comes after his portfolio was cut with the Prime Minister's decision to split the Works and Transport Ministry in June.

Under the new arrangement Warner, who once held responsibility for 14 State boards was left with only two, while newly appointed Transport Minister Devant Maharaj was given much of the work.

Speaking to the Sunday Express at his Chaguanas West constituency office where scores of people were waiting patiently to see him yesterday, Warner said he was not worried by the Cabinet's move to set up a committee as long as the highway was completed on time and within budget.

"I don't care if they appoint one committee or ten, my only concern is that the highway is delivered within time and within budget. I have no other concern," said Warner.

Asked if he felt slighted in any way, he responded: "I am light years away from my detractors and from any guys who of course believe that this committee will worry me. I'm not the least bit worried."

Warner added: "I am not the least bit fazed or concerned...if the committee is there to provide oversight to complete the highway on budget and within time so be it, I have nothing to hide, it's when you have something to hide then you get worried and you get concerned and you are angry and bothered. I welcome five more committees if it's necessary."

Warner said no matter what decisions are taken his devotion and commitment was to continue working for the people of this country.

"I came to my office (Chaguanas West constituency office) at 4.15 this morning. I have already seen 142 persons of which only 16 were from Chaguanas West but everybody who left my office left with a smile," said Warner.

Last Wednesday, Warner complained about difficulty in getting $750 million of an approved $1.5 billion for ongoing works throughout the country.

Finance Minister Winston Dookeran said there were delays because the money was being sourced though a loan from the National Insurance Board (NIB).

Warner disclosed yesterday that he was not assured by this and this week he will be taking a note to Cabinet to approve giving work to contractors and paying them at a later date.

Warner said there are many contractors who gave the assurance to do the necessary works and receive payments in November or even next year.

Sources told the Sunday Express that since the splitting of Warner's ministry there has been some strain and "hidden tension" at Cabinet meetings in Port of Spain.

The Prime Minister's move to downsize Warner's portfolio came as all eyes in the international community were on him when bribery allegations were levelled against him and former Asian football head Mohamed Bin Hammam.

The two were accused of being involved in the offer of bribes to members of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) at a meeting at the Hyatt Regency (Trinidad) hotel, Port of Spain earlier this year in exchange for votes for Bin Hammam who was in the race for presidency of FIFA, the world football governing body.

Bin Hammam was banned from football activities for life (a move he has appealed). Warner resigned as a FIFA Vice President before the election and FIFA has said he is presumed innocent of any charges.

Sources told the Sunday Express that the establishment of this committee was not in any way a move against Warner but one to ensure that the project is delivered on time.

"There is nothing unusual about this, committees have been established in other areas with the primary objective of having more hands on deck and ensuring that the work is done and delivered," said a source.

A source also disclosed that Cabinet ministers were concerned over the possible conflict of interest in the Works Ministry when Director of Highways Roger Ganesh sat on an evaluation committee for months which recommended multi million dollar contracts for his son-in-law's company Kall Co Ltd.

It was only in June after Attorney General Anand Ramlogan intervened in the matter were steps taken to replace Ganesh.

With respect to the Point Fortin highway some $1.5 billion has already been injected into the project which is to be undertaken by Brazilian company Construtora OAS.

Warner had said some 40 per cent of the works will also be given to local contractors.

Persad-Bissessar turned the sod for the billion-dollar highway in January.

Work has already started and it is expected to be completed in four years.