Government Spotlights $28M Discrepancy in Blue Waters Lease Deal

The Government has ignited a controversy surrounding the rescinded leases of Blue Waters land after alleging a gap of $28 million in the proposed lease offer. Minister of Lands Saddam Hosein, addressed Parliament with claims of significant discrepancies discovered during a review of the proposed leases for approximately 450 acres of State land.

Hosein revealed that the lease premium for one commercial parcel, approved by the Cabinet at TT$50 million in 2019, was reflected at a mere TT$22.1 million in the final offer. This represents a staggering difference of nearly TT$28 million. He also criticized the valuation method used for the lease, questioning its reliance on a dated 2015 assessment despite the lease being processed a decade later, in 2025.

The Minister brought to light that public servants had reportedly put a halt to work on the lease between 2019 and 2022 after identifying these irregularities and questioning the valuation and pricing. In a shocking revelation, Hosein alleged that the previous administration attempted to expedite the lease during its final Cabinet meeting, mere days before the general election in 2025.

As part of his allegations, Hosein referred to a WhatsApp voice note allegedly sent by a former election candidate employed in the Attorney General’s Office. The message, he said, instructed public officers to continue processing the lease despite the outstanding concerns. He suggested that the urgency reflected concerns within the previous administration about a potential loss in the upcoming election.

These allegations were made during parliamentary debate, and at the time of publication, those implicated have yet to publicly respond.