Will The truth come out?
It has been yet another interesting week in Jamaica, where confusion and war of words between the Peoples National Party(PNP), Jamiaca Labour Party(JLP),Jamaicans For Justice (JFJ), Jamaia Chambers of Commerce (JCC), Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) among others, is the order of the day.
Donation or Payment?
Confusion number one centers around was this money in the now closed CCOC Associates account at Frist Caribbean Bank a donation or part of a commercial agreement? We first heard from the PNP that is was a donation when they vehemently denied Bruce Golding's suggestions that there was something corrupt going on.
Now we hear, reports supposedly backed up by fax and e-mail, that Trafigura has stated that it was not a donation but was a payment, part of a commercial agreement. The Sunday Herald in Jamaica has even claimed that their sources have said that there is an invoice, a claim the Minister does not deny. Now if it was a part of a commercial agreement, did the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica(PCJ) know about it, if not why not? What is the role of CCOC Associates in the agreement? Isn't the agreement between PCJ and Trafigura (and possibly another party as we will mention later).
"The crude oil is sold on the international market by the London-based company Trafigura, which was contracted by the PCJ to lift its cargoes from Nigeria." (Jamaica Gleaner February 28, 2001)
We now hear that one of the ministers involved has called on Trafigura to clarify their statement. We wait with bated breath. We also know quite well the reputation Trafigura has worldwide. What happens if it turns out that the three outspoken senior ministers of the cabinet were lying, yes not speaking the truth?
Another question surrounding this situtaion is, were there other donations or payments?
It should be noted and not taken lightly that this money was received(donation or payment) just around the time that the contract between Trafigura and the Government through PCJ was being renewed. A contract that has been renewed every yer in the last five years without bother.
Interestingly in July of this year, Clive Mullings in Parliment, raised questions about this Nigerian Oil arrangement. There were questions about the auditing of the accounts and interestingly questions about the role of GoodWorks international.
He said that a three-way arrangement now exists between PCJ, GoodWorks and a new oil trader, Trafigura Limited, and questioned why those arrangements were not being audited. (Jamaica Observer July 31, 2006).
Mr. Mullings went further in the report to that the Ministry of Finance and Planning had instructed the PCJ that, with effect from April 1, 2005 the net income from the Nigerian oil facility was to be paid into the consolidated fund. Was this being done?
What does these names mean?
Confusion number two surrounds the names CCOC and SW. According to reports the minister involves says CCOC means nothing but is that really so. Accourding to a Norton Hinds as reported in the Jamaica Observer, this is the story:
"That account was opened in 1992 when Colin Campbell went into politics," he told the Observer. "At that time, a group of us came together to give him support, and we formed a group we called the CCOC Association, which stands for Colin Campbell Our Candidate."
That explanation seems logical enough so why would the minister want to deny that. One could argue that he never real knew what name or letters meant since it was not he who decided on the name. An interesting aside to this is the following statement attributed to Norton Hinds:
"Colin brings the cheques and I sit down and sign them, but I have no involvement in the use or acquisition of those funds,".
On the SW Services, one writer suggest it could have something to do with South West St. Andrew, the constituency of the Prime Minister. It could be coincidence but South West St. Andrew or SW ST. Andrew? If reports are true, roughly JMD $30 million dollars of the JMD $ 31 Millon was withdrawn from the CCOC Associates account and lodged in the SW Services (Team Jamaica) account.
Fired or Sent on Leave?
Confusion number three surrounds the reports in the media. As usual the media in Jamaica continues to give conflicting reports. The Jamaica Observer reports that the person responsible for the leak from First Caribbean Bank, a senior executive, has been sent on leave pending investigation but Radio Jamaica reports suggest that she has been fired.
Once again we wonder where is the truth?
Somethings are settled for me. If it was a donation, it was unethical and corrupt and if was payment, it would be only be more unethical and corrupt. What the bank employee did was wrong, no question about it, but there seems to a lot more going on that was wrong. The truth is, it is time for some 'whistle-blowing' and yes 'campaign-financing' legislation.
Related
I'm not involved, says Norton Hinds
First Caribbean fires woman accused of leaking PNP info
Bank sends top exec on leave
Jamaica's Oil Reserves Boosted
Donation or Payment?
Confusion number one centers around was this money in the now closed CCOC Associates account at Frist Caribbean Bank a donation or part of a commercial agreement? We first heard from the PNP that is was a donation when they vehemently denied Bruce Golding's suggestions that there was something corrupt going on.
Now we hear, reports supposedly backed up by fax and e-mail, that Trafigura has stated that it was not a donation but was a payment, part of a commercial agreement. The Sunday Herald in Jamaica has even claimed that their sources have said that there is an invoice, a claim the Minister does not deny. Now if it was a part of a commercial agreement, did the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica(PCJ) know about it, if not why not? What is the role of CCOC Associates in the agreement? Isn't the agreement between PCJ and Trafigura (and possibly another party as we will mention later).
"The crude oil is sold on the international market by the London-based company Trafigura, which was contracted by the PCJ to lift its cargoes from Nigeria." (Jamaica Gleaner February 28, 2001)
We now hear that one of the ministers involved has called on Trafigura to clarify their statement. We wait with bated breath. We also know quite well the reputation Trafigura has worldwide. What happens if it turns out that the three outspoken senior ministers of the cabinet were lying, yes not speaking the truth?
Another question surrounding this situtaion is, were there other donations or payments?
It should be noted and not taken lightly that this money was received(donation or payment) just around the time that the contract between Trafigura and the Government through PCJ was being renewed. A contract that has been renewed every yer in the last five years without bother.
Interestingly in July of this year, Clive Mullings in Parliment, raised questions about this Nigerian Oil arrangement. There were questions about the auditing of the accounts and interestingly questions about the role of GoodWorks international.
He said that a three-way arrangement now exists between PCJ, GoodWorks and a new oil trader, Trafigura Limited, and questioned why those arrangements were not being audited. (Jamaica Observer July 31, 2006).
Mr. Mullings went further in the report to that the Ministry of Finance and Planning had instructed the PCJ that, with effect from April 1, 2005 the net income from the Nigerian oil facility was to be paid into the consolidated fund. Was this being done?
What does these names mean?
Confusion number two surrounds the names CCOC and SW. According to reports the minister involves says CCOC means nothing but is that really so. Accourding to a Norton Hinds as reported in the Jamaica Observer, this is the story:
"That account was opened in 1992 when Colin Campbell went into politics," he told the Observer. "At that time, a group of us came together to give him support, and we formed a group we called the CCOC Association, which stands for Colin Campbell Our Candidate."
That explanation seems logical enough so why would the minister want to deny that. One could argue that he never real knew what name or letters meant since it was not he who decided on the name. An interesting aside to this is the following statement attributed to Norton Hinds:
"Colin brings the cheques and I sit down and sign them, but I have no involvement in the use or acquisition of those funds,".
On the SW Services, one writer suggest it could have something to do with South West St. Andrew, the constituency of the Prime Minister. It could be coincidence but South West St. Andrew or SW ST. Andrew? If reports are true, roughly JMD $30 million dollars of the JMD $ 31 Millon was withdrawn from the CCOC Associates account and lodged in the SW Services (Team Jamaica) account.
Fired or Sent on Leave?
Confusion number three surrounds the reports in the media. As usual the media in Jamaica continues to give conflicting reports. The Jamaica Observer reports that the person responsible for the leak from First Caribbean Bank, a senior executive, has been sent on leave pending investigation but Radio Jamaica reports suggest that she has been fired.
Once again we wonder where is the truth?
Somethings are settled for me. If it was a donation, it was unethical and corrupt and if was payment, it would be only be more unethical and corrupt. What the bank employee did was wrong, no question about it, but there seems to a lot more going on that was wrong. The truth is, it is time for some 'whistle-blowing' and yes 'campaign-financing' legislation.
Related
I'm not involved, says Norton Hinds
First Caribbean fires woman accused of leaking PNP info
Bank sends top exec on leave
Jamaica's Oil Reserves Boosted
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