PORT-OF-SPAIN – Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said her People’s Partnership Government would pursue allegations of unacceptable conduct in a US$120 million desalination project and any other instances of alleged malfeasance involving the public purse.
She distanced herself and members of her administration from allegations of bid-rigging in the contract issued to Desalcott in 1999.
But Persad-Bissessar promised to “energetically, but soberly and intelligently” pursue “all malfeasance in public office”.
A Sunday Express investigation indicated that Public Utilities Minister Emmanuel George in 1998, when he was a permanent secretary, wrote to a fictitious company fronting as an affiliate of the United Nations in the payroll of deceased contractor Hafeez Karamath. (Express)
Golding: Serious flaws in handling of Coke case
KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Bruce Golding administration remains in discussions with the United States government as it seeks to address procedural flaws it maintains occurred with the extradition request for west Kingston strongman Christopher “Dudus” Coke.
At the same time, Prime Minister Golding says the Jamaican government’s strained relationship with the United States is improving.
Golding said in a Jamaica Information Service (JIS) interview, broadcast on radio and television stations on Sunday, that there were serious flaws in the way the extradition request was carried out.
“It involved the use of intercept evidence which ought not to have been used without the approval of a judge,” the prime minister said. “That is what our law requires, that is the issue that we sought to have resolved with the United States.”
“We are exploring various ways in order to avoid a similar situation in the future,” Golding told a JIS senior executive. (Jamaica Gleaner)
Policeman charged
KINGSTON, Jamaica – A police corporal from the St Andrew Central Division was arrested on Sunday for breaches of the Corruption Prevention Act.
The policeman gave a bus operator a traffic ticket but told him he would take back the ticket he issued to him upon payment of money. (Jamaica Observer)
