The Office of the Prime Minister has moved to clarify its instructions, to Permanent Secretary in the Energy Ministry Hillary Alexander, in relation to the deepening Petrojam saga.
In a release this morning (Jun 22) it says the Permanent Secretary is expected to compile relevant information and documentation, which would already be in her domain of awareness, and ambit of responsibility, and that of the senior management of Petrojam.
It notes that Cabinet has not asked the Permanent Secretary to undertake an investigation, as some have asserted in the media.
The OPM says Cabinet is seeking to have more in depth understanding of the allegations and issues affecting Petrojam, in order to give better guidance to the newly appointed board.
This it says would correct immediately any policy gaps, administrative shortcomings, or governance weaknesses that may exist and to secure for the public, accurate information on matters of concern.
On Tuesday, Cabinet said it directed that Mrs. Alexander prepare a report on the operations of Petrojam, with specific attention to various allegations in the public domain.
That report is to be ready for the next meeting of Cabinet, where it is expected that the Permanent Secretary and the senior management team of Petrojam will attend and present the report.
Financial activities at Petrojam have come under scrutiny, following revelations about a number of transactions undertaken by the company.
The Auditor General is probing the matter.
Meantime, the governing JLP says, it fully supports the government’s approach, in handling the issues at Petrojam.
General Secretary of the Jamaica Labour Party, Dr. Horace Chang, says the government has its full support, in its efforts, to get the facts related to the issues at Petrojam, floating in the public domain.
He adds that it is only through a fact-based exercise, that there can be any objective outcome that fulfils the government’s commitment to accountability and transparency.
Dr. Chang points to not only use of legislation, such as the Integrity Commission and Moca laws, but also specific action, in dealing with the transformation of the public service.
He says, the JLP is not fearful of the Opposition, fulfilling its role of oversight and criticism, but adds, that the reform process will also include a deep assessment of the PNP administration’s stewardship of Petrojam.