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FORMER rural development and local government minister Faris Al-Rawi says a proper investigation into an extension of over 300 Cepep contracts was welcome after the High Court ruled the matter be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for probe on August 7.

Al-Rawi's comments came after Justice Margaret Mohammed stayed a lawsuit filed by a Laventille-based contractor challenging the termination of its contract with the Cepep Company. The judge ruled that the contractor was bound by his agreement with the company to seek mediation before court action was taken against Cepep.

In addition, the court said allegations made in an affidavit by Cepep CEO Keith Eddy that Al-Rawi and former chairman Joel Edwards had erroneously claimed that cabinet had approved the contract extensions was worthy of investigation by the DPP. She ruled that documents related to the allegations be sent to the DPP.