Dear Editor,

Print and electronic media have been swirling with excitement surrounding the EWI and the OUR’s process of due diligence in opening up the issue of responsible action on the part of any signatory to agreements aimed at protecting proprietary information intended to be held in confidence.

The National Integrity Action committee’s chairman, Professor Trevor Munroe, was reported to have been demanding that the OUR make public the information contained in and arising from their investigation concerning EWI’s capacity to acquire the requisite financing to effect the 360MW plant.

Not having a dictionary at hand, I consulted Lawmart.com. Those familiar with international finance know that investment capital operates within strict confidentiality guidelines; mumber one on this list is the signing of a mutual non-disclosure non-circumvention agreement. The parties desire to disclose, on a confidential basis, information process, clients business contacts and documents considered confidential and/or proprietary by the parties concerning their respective businesses. The parties wish to maintain the confidentiality nature of the information disclosed. There may be conditional disclosure terms dependent on the type nature of the project.

My question to the NIA is, waa legal advice sought before their request to the OUR?

Munroe, with respect, your organisation professes to want the Government and its agencies to be free from any corrupt behaviour or intent. Obliging your request will require the OUR to breach a contractual agreement. Your stakeholder/ watch dog status does not extend to this.

All are agreed that the local capital cannot fund the programme. We need the help. Failure is not an option.

What if we were to ask where you get your funding?

Orville Silvera

kubwemoja@gmail.com