OCG starts probe of LNG tender process

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

THE Office of the Contractor General (OCG) yesterday took into custody records associated with the procurement process that led to the selection of Exmar Consortium as the preferred bidder to establish a liquid natural gas (LNG) terminal and transportation system in Jamaica.

The special audit team from the OCG went to the offices of the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ) and the Ministry of Energy and Mining, unannounced, following allegations of impropriety and irregularity in the selection of the Exmar Consortium.

The allegation, said the OCG, was brought to the attention of Energy Minister James Robertson, and copied to Prime Minister Bruce Golding and the permanent secretary.

"Electronic copies of the computer e-mail files of several former and present senior PCJ and ministry officials have been requested by the OCG's five-person audit team, headed by the senior director of contracts monitoring and its chief investigator," Contractor General Greg Christie said in a release to the media yesterday.

Christie said letters were subsequently given to acting managing director of the PCJ, Nigel Logan, and Hillary Alexander, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Mining and Energy, formally advising them that the OCG had commenced an enquiry into the PCJ's LNG system tender and contract award processes.

The OCG, under Sections 4 (2) (b) and 4 (3) of the Contractor General Act, is empowered to have access to all books, records, documents, stores or other property belonging to Government, whether in the possession of any officer of a public body or a contractor or any other person and to require any public body to furnish in such manner and at such times as may be specified by the contractor general, information with regard to the award of any contract and such other information in relation thereto as the contractor general may consider desirable.

POST A COMMENT

You must first register and then login to be able to post a comment.

HOUSE RULES

1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper – email addresses will not be published.

2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.

3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.

4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.

5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.

6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.

7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy, and before commenting you need to register, conveniently, by clicking the link above.

COMMENTS (5)

Marlon Dyer
6/23/2010

Lets wait until the dust settle before we speak about corruption, you will find much of what is been muted as corruption and white collar crime will amount to nothing more than jealousy and political expedience, from those PNP supporters whoa are hungry for power...I will not be surprise also if racial discrimination and prejudice, played a role in the instigation of this investigation...I guess some believe people a swim too far from what is their designated social strata?

Alexander Johnson
6/23/2010

We have been told the OCG was part of this tender process from the start, so why the hubub now? Because Ian Moore was Chairman at PCJ and the team he is on won? He was fired (fired) a year before the process started. Is he precluded from doing energy business bc he was once at PCJ? And BESIDES, is this even a government contract? Where is the government money that is being spent. The OCG is dragging Jamaica to look a gift horse in the mouth while our llight bills sky rocket. Give this 1 a break!

Rovert Sirrah
6/23/2010

It's about time , not only the thugs and gangsters that needs to be roped in but politicians and white collar criminals. Way to go Greg Christie , dig deep. I salute you , be resolute.

ESTEBAN AGOSTO REID
6/23/2010

Good move, Mr. Christie. Please check everything out !! Do not leave any stones unturned or untouched in this matter.

Indomitable Junior Buck
6/23/2010

Another example of the JLP's corruption. Everything they touch turns to dust. Bringing it to Golding and Robertson is like bringing it to the directors and shareholders of the companies being investigated, comprende'.

Do you feel buying into Facebook now is a good investment for the long-run?
	Yes
	No

View Results
Results published weekly in Sunday Finance

Username:
Password:

Teen killed for laughing at man who fell from bicycle

OCG starts probe of LNG tender process