Opposition Leader yet to receive report on Cuban Light Bulb

[Lazie]

(well, this was reported on Monday)

The report on the Cuban light bulb controversy which was ordered by opposition leader Portia Simpson Miller, two weeks ago, should be handed over to her later Monday.

The report which is expected to shed light on the operation of aspects of the light bulb programme was ordered in the aftermath of questions from Energy Minister Clive Mullings.

The Opposition Leader requested the report from former Energy Minister Phillip Pauwell and Former Minister of State, Kern Spencer.

Checks earlier Monday revealed that the reports were being finalized.

They were scheduled to be turned over to the Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller last week.

But Mrs. Simpson Miller was reportedly on an overseas mission.

With the report expected to be in hand, Mrs. Simpson Miller is faced with a hectic schedule.

The Opposition Leader is expected to chair a meeting with her team of spokespersons.

Following that Mrs. Simpson Miller will convene a meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Group People's National Party Executive of which both Mr. Paulwell and Mr. Spencer are members.

Sources say the report will strongly rebut claims of irregularities.

It is understood that the functionaries contend that while there might have been minor breaches in the procurement aspects of the arrangement, the programme benefited from value for money.

The specific areas of the procurement arrangement being referred to remain unclear.

Questions brought to light by Mr. Mullings reportedly electrified both Government and Opposition members.

Members of Parliament on both sides of the divide have reacted with shock at the development.

In a statement to the House a fortnight ago, Mr. Mullings raised questions about millions of dollars paid from the Consolidated Fund and MP's allocations to finance the distribution and other aspects of the Cuban Light Bulb programme without adequate supporting documents.

Mrs. Simpson Miller had indicated that she would be initiating investigations of her own.

[Lazie]

Opposition leader to receive Cuban bulb report Tuesday

The much anticipated report on activities involving the Cuban Light Bulb Project should be in the hands of Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller Tuesday.

It is reported that the document, which was prepared by Former Energy Minister Phillip Paulwell and Kern Spencer, who was his Junior Minister, was completed Monday evening.

However, it was not presented to Mrs. Simpson Miller as expected.

People's National Party (PNP) General Secretary, Donald Buchanan, says the Opposition Leader was unable to receive the report as she was out of Kingston.

The Paulwell/Spencer report should shed light on the controversy surrounding millions of dollars spent on the bulb distribution project.

Energy Minister Clive Mullings ordered a probe last month after raising questions about its implementation.

He said the project was not subject to the Ministry's internal controls and there seemed to be breaches of government's procurement guidelines.

It was reported that the previous Government paid out $114 million for the distribution of the bulbs.

Of this amount, $85 million was paid out to a company named Universal Management and Development Company Limited for various services.

According to Mr. Mullings, the entity is not registered as a contractor or supplier with the National Contracts Commission.

[Jawge]

Seriously now, both you and the JLP need
to give up office and let the PNP run the country whilst you guys bicker about light bulbs. Tel me; are the light bulbs going to put Ja's economy on top? the bulb are going to reduce the crime problem? You guys still think you are the opposition; searching for scandals. Disgusting. Run the damn little island and stop with the silly distractions.