Blue Waters, owned by Dominic Hadeed, is Divali Nagar’s Diamond Sponsor. The company has disputes with the State.
Blue Waters Products Ltd, owned by businessman Dominic Hadeed, has become the Diamond Sponsor of this year’s Divali Nagar, the highest level of sponsorship for the event’s 40th anniversary. The company’s disputes with the State this year, including the detention of its owners during the State of Emergency and the withdrawal of land leases, have drawn attention to the sponsorship.
The National Council of Indian Culture (NCIC) announced the sponsorship on Friday after several State-linked sponsors withdrew. Blue Waters did not disclose its value, though Guardian Media understands it is worth $250,000. Chief Operating Officer Rajiv Ragoonanan said the company plans its sponsorships each year when it assesses its budget for advertising, promotion and community engagement. He said it stepped in after seeing the need. Head of Commercial Avinash Lalloo said corporate responsibility must be demonstrated through action. A lawyer for the Hadeeds said Blue Waters has been a sponsor of the event for many years.
Dominic and Genevieve Hadeed were arrested on June 24 under State of Emergency regulations in connection with an alleged plot to assassinate the Prime Minister and other senior government officials, the Guardian reported. Genevieve Hadeed’s aunt, Star Sabga, was detained the next day. None of the three was charged. Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander revoked the Hadeeds’ detention orders on July 23, after nearly a month in custody. A tribunal reviewing detentions had recommended that Dominic Hadeed be released, according to a July 22 report. Sabga was released from the Women’s Prison on July 27 and placed under house arrest following a ruling by Justice Vigel Paul. Her detention order was later revoked and she was released from house arrest on Sept. 10, shortly before the State of Emergency ended. The Hadeeds have denied the allegations and have maintained that their detention was politically motivated.
Separately, in July the Government rescinded Cabinet approvals for three State land leases to Blue Waters Products covering about 450 acres at Orange Grove Estate in central Trinidad and referred the matter to the Commissioner of Police for investigation. Court filings by Blue Waters say it spent nearly two decades seeking formal leases through successive governments. It says it received an offer letter from the Commissioner of State Lands in 2022, accepted the terms and paid the required premiums and fees, but the leases were never executed. Officials have not detailed what investigators are examining, and the company says it acted in accordance with the approvals and processes communicated by State authorities.
On Friday, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar criticized the sponsorship, alleging that the Hadeeds privately use a derogatory racial slur against East Indians. Faris Al-Rawi, SC, a lawyer for the couple, said they have never used the phrase. The allegation has not been tested in court. The NCIC has said the sponsorship will not cover all of the event’s costs. First vice-president Arvind Singh said the council is grateful for every contribution and hopes more corporate sponsors will come forward.