The People’s National Party (PNP) is calling on the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) to urgently clarify reports surrounding a payment to the JLP of US$201,538 by the Mexican-based company Cemex, parent of Caribbean Cement Company Limited (CCC).

The payment was reportedly disclosed in Cemex’s filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and, according to an article by the Jamaica Gleaner, described as “fees” paid to the JLP.

Cemex subsequently issued an amended filing to the SEC which removed any mention of the payment, according to the report.

In a news release on Thursday, Dr Dayton Campbell, General Secretary of the PNP, said the reported disclosure of fees being paid to the ruling JLP, the party in government, raises serious concerns, especially given the magnitude of the payment.

“Let us be clear, CEMEX and its subsidiary CCC have been good corporate citizens and have contributed meaningfully to Jamaica’s development, demonstrating strong corporate social responsibility over the years. Like many other companies, they have made political donations to both major parties, and the PNP has no issue with legitimate political contributions made in accordance with the law,” said Dr Campbell.

“However, the report of a payment categorised as ‘fees’ to the JLP implies a payment of compensation to a political party for services rendered. This begs the question, exactly what services were provided by the JLP, the party in government, in consideration for this payment? What was this US$201,538 a quid pro quo for?” Dr Campbell questioned.

He said this calls into question the propriety of the ruling party’s financial arrangements.

“The charging of fees by the party in government is outside the legislative framework of campaign financing, and demands a full and transparent explanation from the Jamaica Labour Party as to the basis of this payment,” Dr Campbell said.

“The JLP must clear the air on this matter before speculation grows. Jamaica cannot afford to leave investors with the impression that the governing party is using its position to extract payments from companies for political services for which it charges fees. Such perceptions will damage investor confidence and risk further reducing foreign direct investment, which has already fallen precipitously over the period since the JLP has been in office,” he said.

The PNP general secretary claimed that the lack of transparency around the fee payment is eroding public trust and undermining Jamaica’s international reputation.

“The JLP, which is the party in government, must come clean to the Jamaican people and the investor community about this fee, without further delay. Continued silence will only deepen the perception that corruption has become the price of doing business in Jamaica,” he concluded, adding that the PNP remains steadfast in its call for good governance, transparency, and accountability from all political actors.