Colm Imbert: I Did NOT Approve Special Licenses For ‘Floating Restaurant’

In a Media Release on Friday (31st December 2021), Finance Minister Colm Imbert, MP, said he has taken note of statements made earlier that day by members of the Opposition UNC regarding the alleged approval by the Minister of Finance of special licenses for the M.V. Ocean Pelican and/or Adrian Scoon.

Police detained 100 persons who were onboard the Ocean Pelican in Chaguaramas on Boxing Day (Sunday 26th December 2021). The group was processed and subsequently released pending further enquiries. The organizer of the event was identified as Adrian Scoon, the son of Minister of Trade and Industry, Paula Gopee-Scoon.

Minister Imbert said, “For the record, the Minister of Finance did NOT approve the special licenses issued to the M.V. Ocean Pelican and/or Adrian Scoon that are currently circulating on social media. To the contrary, being aware of the current prohibition on party boats, when asked to approve the special licenses last month, on November 5, 2021, the Minister queried the permissibility of the request in the context of the current COVID-19 Public Health Regulations.”

The Media Release went on to explain, “Upon consideration of the Minister's query, the request to the Minister to approve the licenses was withdrawn. As a consequence, the Minister of Finance did not approve the licenses, which is an express requirement of Section 45(1)(c) of the Liquor Licences Act Chap. 84.10. However, for yet unresolved reasons, despite clear written instructions to the contrary on December 3, 2021, the Customs and Excise Division issued the said licenses, without the approval of the Minister.”

​These licenses, the Minister states, have since been deemed by the Customs and Excise Division to be “null and void as no directions for the issuance of same were given by the Minister of Finance.”

The statement concluded by noting, “The irregular and unauthorized issuance of these special licenses is now under investigation.”

Meanwhile, on Twitter, the Minister also commented on the matter, saying, “The facts regarding the issuance of special licenses for the M.V. Ocean Pelican under the Liquor Licenses Act are being grossly misrepresented in the public domain. In view of the COVID-19 Regulations, I was careful NOT to approve any such license.” He also provided copies of the relevant supporting documents.

This is a developing story - refresh this page for updates.