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Energy Minister Clive Mullings says the police might be called in to assist with the probe into the Cuban Light Bulb Distribution Project.
This could widen the investigation into the spending of millions of dollars during the period of the previous Government.
The Auditor-General and Contractor General have already been asked to investigate the expenditure of $114 million and the commitment to pay another $162 million in connection with the project.
Mr. Mulling made the announcement in Parliament Tuesday as he raised concern about the conduct of the programme and one of the ministers associated with it.
The Energy Minister who later appeared on Beyond the Headlines was questioned whether the probe might become a police matter.
"We want them [Auditor-General and Contractor General] to do their job and we expect them to at some point get through the investigations and wherever the chips fall so be it," said Mr. Mullings.
Under the programme four million florescent bulbs were to be distributed as part of an effort to encourage energy saving habits among Jamaicans.
The bulbs were provided free of cost by the Cuban government with teams of Cuban and Jamaican volunteers drafted to distribute and install them.
For its part, the Jamaican government would bear the cost for shipping, clearing, storing and transporting the bulbs.
But fingers are being pointed to Universal Management and Development Company Limited, a firm which was granted a contract to provide services to the project.
Mr. Mullings says the company is not registered with the National Contracts Commission.
In addition, he says there is no evidence that proper tendering procedures were followed in the award of the contract.
Mr. Mullings said the Attorney General has been asked to advise whether the letters of commitment signed by former Minister of State Kern Spencer constitute a binding commitment on the part of the government.
In the interim, the Energy Ministry has instructed that no further payments be made until the probe is conducted and Cabinet makes a decision.
And former Minister of State in the Energy Ministry Kern Spencer says he will not make a formal comment at this time on the questions being raised about the Cuban Light Bulb Project.
When RJR News contacted Mr. Spencer Tuesday night he said he first became aware of the concerns during Tuesday's sitting of Parliament.
He said former Minister of Energy Phillip Paulwell is to issue a statement on the matter.
Mr. Spencer said until then it would be inappropriate for him to speak publicly on the issue.
Our news centre also contacted Managing Director of the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica Ruth Potopsingh but she too declined to comment on the matter.
The PCJ has been dragged into the spotlight as it has been linked to the Light Bulb Distribution Project.
http://www.radiojamaica.com/content/view/2324/26/
This could widen the investigation into the spending of millions of dollars during the period of the previous Government.
The Auditor-General and Contractor General have already been asked to investigate the expenditure of $114 million and the commitment to pay another $162 million in connection with the project.
Mr. Mulling made the announcement in Parliament Tuesday as he raised concern about the conduct of the programme and one of the ministers associated with it.
The Energy Minister who later appeared on Beyond the Headlines was questioned whether the probe might become a police matter.
"We want them [Auditor-General and Contractor General] to do their job and we expect them to at some point get through the investigations and wherever the chips fall so be it," said Mr. Mullings.
Under the programme four million florescent bulbs were to be distributed as part of an effort to encourage energy saving habits among Jamaicans.
The bulbs were provided free of cost by the Cuban government with teams of Cuban and Jamaican volunteers drafted to distribute and install them.
For its part, the Jamaican government would bear the cost for shipping, clearing, storing and transporting the bulbs.
But fingers are being pointed to Universal Management and Development Company Limited, a firm which was granted a contract to provide services to the project.
Mr. Mullings says the company is not registered with the National Contracts Commission.
In addition, he says there is no evidence that proper tendering procedures were followed in the award of the contract.
Mr. Mullings said the Attorney General has been asked to advise whether the letters of commitment signed by former Minister of State Kern Spencer constitute a binding commitment on the part of the government.
In the interim, the Energy Ministry has instructed that no further payments be made until the probe is conducted and Cabinet makes a decision.
And former Minister of State in the Energy Ministry Kern Spencer says he will not make a formal comment at this time on the questions being raised about the Cuban Light Bulb Project.
When RJR News contacted Mr. Spencer Tuesday night he said he first became aware of the concerns during Tuesday's sitting of Parliament.
He said former Minister of Energy Phillip Paulwell is to issue a statement on the matter.
Mr. Spencer said until then it would be inappropriate for him to speak publicly on the issue.
Our news centre also contacted Managing Director of the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica Ruth Potopsingh but she too declined to comment on the matter.
The PCJ has been dragged into the spotlight as it has been linked to the Light Bulb Distribution Project.
http://www.radiojamaica.com/content/view/2324/26/
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