Tweet
Stop-order on Kern Spencer
Light bulb probe deepens
Thursday, February 21, 2008
One of the big P in the PNP that broke the code, disobeyed Manley and got a ex JLP minister in trouble? Will the JLP respect the code or will they get him?
SPENCER. says there are 'several gaps' in report
THE Immigration Department yesterday slapped a stop-order on Kern Spencer, effectively preventing the former junior energy minister from leaving the island, as investigations into the Cuban light bulb scandal deepened.
Impeccable Observer sources last night said the stop-order followed instructions from the Police High Command. The newspaper's attempts to get comment from Spencer proved futile.
A stop-order is usually in preparation for police action, including taking the subject into custody but the Observer sources could not confirm that the embattled ex-state minister would be detained.
Contractor-General Greg Christie has asked the Director of Public Prosecutions to initiate criminal proceedings into the light bulb saga that went wrong because of alleged breaches of the government's procurement guidelines.
Energy Minister Clive Mullings last month reported to the parliament that the light bulb project, meant as a gift from Cuba, had ended up costing about $267 million to distribute $4 million worth of light bulbs under Spencer's watch.
Christie also alleged there were breaches of the Contractor-General Act, the Financial Administration and Audit Act and the Public Bodies Management and Accountability Act in the procurement of the contracts for the project and in the execution of the contract itself.
The report said Spencer had used his company, Butterfly Traders Limited to make money from the project.
Sherine Shakes, the mother of Spencer's child, as well as Shakes' mother, Verdie Mair, have also come under scrutiny.
Shakes received several payments from the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ) in relation to the project, while Mair, who was listed as the contractor, reportedly received $700,000 from the PCJ for catering services.
Spencer has maintained his innocence and said he would clear his name as there were 'several gaps' in the report.
The People's National Party (PNP) politician has also been named in another potential scandal involving land with last week's revelation that he bought two acres of lands at Gilnock, St Catherine, for $2.8 million, without the approval of the Land Divestment Committee. The land was never advertised for sale.
Spencer has since taken leave from his duties as member of parliament for North East St Elizabeth and given up his leadership roles in the PNP out of concern for the damaged image of the Opposition party.
Light bulb probe deepens
Thursday, February 21, 2008
One of the big P in the PNP that broke the code, disobeyed Manley and got a ex JLP minister in trouble? Will the JLP respect the code or will they get him?
SPENCER. says there are 'several gaps' in report THE Immigration Department yesterday slapped a stop-order on Kern Spencer, effectively preventing the former junior energy minister from leaving the island, as investigations into the Cuban light bulb scandal deepened.
Impeccable Observer sources last night said the stop-order followed instructions from the Police High Command. The newspaper's attempts to get comment from Spencer proved futile.
A stop-order is usually in preparation for police action, including taking the subject into custody but the Observer sources could not confirm that the embattled ex-state minister would be detained.
Contractor-General Greg Christie has asked the Director of Public Prosecutions to initiate criminal proceedings into the light bulb saga that went wrong because of alleged breaches of the government's procurement guidelines.
Energy Minister Clive Mullings last month reported to the parliament that the light bulb project, meant as a gift from Cuba, had ended up costing about $267 million to distribute $4 million worth of light bulbs under Spencer's watch.
Christie also alleged there were breaches of the Contractor-General Act, the Financial Administration and Audit Act and the Public Bodies Management and Accountability Act in the procurement of the contracts for the project and in the execution of the contract itself.
The report said Spencer had used his company, Butterfly Traders Limited to make money from the project.
Sherine Shakes, the mother of Spencer's child, as well as Shakes' mother, Verdie Mair, have also come under scrutiny.
Shakes received several payments from the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ) in relation to the project, while Mair, who was listed as the contractor, reportedly received $700,000 from the PCJ for catering services.
Spencer has maintained his innocence and said he would clear his name as there were 'several gaps' in the report.
The People's National Party (PNP) politician has also been named in another potential scandal involving land with last week's revelation that he bought two acres of lands at Gilnock, St Catherine, for $2.8 million, without the approval of the Land Divestment Committee. The land was never advertised for sale.
Spencer has since taken leave from his duties as member of parliament for North East St Elizabeth and given up his leadership roles in the PNP out of concern for the damaged image of the Opposition party.
Comment