Embattled former Chief Executive Officer of the state-owned Marketing & National Importing Board (MNIB), Ruel Edwards has sought to distance himself from any wrongdoing in the unfolding cellphone scandal that has engulfed the Keith Mitchell-led administration.
In a statement issued over the weekend, Edwards said that he is not responsible for any charges on the Digicel cellphone number 534-9060 that was assigned to him while he worked on contract as a senior employee in the Ministry of Finance.
Edwards had landed the government job after quitting his post at MNIB but Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Dr. Mitchell took steps to have him removed following reports of discrepancies in the MNIB operations under his watch.
The former MNIB executive is currently under investigation by the Integrity Commission headed by Attorney-at-law Anande Trotman Joseph, wife of former NNP Attorney-General, Dr. Lawrence Joseph.
Following is the statement issued by Edwards over the weekend:
“The July 12th, 2019 edition of the New Today Newspaper which carried the headline “The Cell Phone Scandal” highlighted my name as among people listed as having a post-employment Government issued cellphone.
I confidently advise that I am NOT in possession of a Government issued cell phone neither am I benefiting from same.
On September 10th, 2018 at 4.00 p.m, I handed over all properties belonging to the Government of Grenada to include files, office keys and Government issued cell phone no. 534 9060 to the current Head for Economic and Technical Cooperation (Ag.) – Mr. Titus Antoine.
Any activity on that cell phone which still bears my name is not carried on by me.
The cost of all my telecommunications activities since then is exclusively borne by yours truly”.
THE NEW TODAY can report that the Digicel bill obtained by this newspaper showed that cellphone number 534-9060 is still listed in the name of “Ruel Edwards” more than eight months after he is no longer attached to the ministry.
It showed that the bill on the phone was $280.56 made up primarily of data in the sum of $191.72, international calls $48.69, and tax of $44.53.