KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Government of Jamaica says it wishes to advise the public that steps are being taken to return funds donated by Opposition leader, Mark Golding, towards the repatriation of Jamaican students studying in Ukraine.

In a release from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) the Government shared that the sum of US$10,000 which was donated by Golding in February will be “returned to the Leader of the Opposition at the earliest, to facilitate their use as best determined by him.”

This move came after a recent disclosure by Golding that he now desires that the funds be distributed to each student towards his/her education costs. The money was initially allocated to be used for “transportation, food and other necessities” related to the repatriation of the students.

The Government in their correspondence said that while it understands the change of intentions, the communication from the Opposition regarding the latter “accuses the Government of improper usage of the donation.”

“Accordingly, the Government has decided that the funds be returned to the Leader of the Opposition at the earliest, to facilitate their use as best determined by him,” the statement from the OPM read.