David Gegg takes witness stand at Senate Inquiry

As it directly relates to Portico’s Definitive Agreement, Gegg spoke on who drafted the document and what other parties were involved.  You may recall that former Attorney General, Michael Peyrefitte has distanced himself from the creation of this agreement. It is a statement that Gegg had backed up, kind of, at least.

David Gegg, Portico Developer: “Would have gotten it ?”

Senator: No drafted.

David Gegg, Portico Developer: “Morales Peyrefitte law firm and it was done I must admit in conjunction with lawyers from Boscalis in the Netherlands but the primary drafting agency was Morales Peyrefitte.” 

Senator: And was the AG’s ministry ever consulted or involved in the drafting of the definitive agreement ? 

David Gegg, Portico Developer: “I heard it said that he was but I don’t have first hand experience of that.”

Senator: So you cannot confirm if the former AG, AG Peyrefitte would have ?

David Gegg, Portico Developer: “No I cannot confirm that.” 

Senator: As you’re aware Mr.Gegg we had an election in November of 2020 and this definitive agreement was signed just before that. Was there any concerns as to or was there any reason to rush to sign the definitive agreement or anything of that nature ?

David Gegg, Portico Developer: “I don’t think you can say it was rushed because we started this process in 2017 so we’re looking at three years leading up to that time. I felt we had done everything from an environmental perspective to get clearance. And actually I was told on August 28th that we had gotten clearance but it didn’t happen. If I was trying to push things ahead in all honesty it was because I knew that government would change and that with that change would come a further delay in having all documentation concluded. I had no difficulty with the change. I knew it was coming. I was in a much better position to see it coming but I just did not want to waste another six months while new CEOS were put in place, while new processes, changes require this require that and yes I wanted to get it done.” 

Senator: And it was done. 
David Gegg, Portico Developer: “Well no it wasn’t done because without the environmental clearance the definitive agreement was useless.”

As the inquiry continues in the coming weeks, perhaps the most important testimony would come from former Government Minister Erwin Contreras.