The Opposition has welcomed the recent report tabled in the House of Parliament by the Contractor General which concluded that "there was no merit to the allegation made by the then Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Golding, that Petrojam's shares were sold below market value or that the correct value of the shares was in the region of US$300 million." 

The report further indicated that "Mr. Golding failed to provide any documentary evidence which could support or substantiate his allegation."

The investigation carried out by the Office of the Contractor General, which led to the dismissal of Mr. Golding's allegations, further exposes the tactics used by the JLP both in Opposition and now in Government of making wild charges which have no substantive basis.

The public must be reminded that this bilateral agreement between the Government of Jamaica and the Republic of Venezuela has provided the basis for the modernization and expansion of the PetroJam refinery which will be of significant benefit to the economy of Jamaica. This project falls under the umbrella of the Petro Caribe Agreement which the country continues to benefit from. It is instructive to note that the new Administration, having ridiculed the arrangement whilst in Opposition, has now fully embraced it.

Whilst the Opposition welcomes the report from the Office of the Contractor General, the irresponsible behaviour of the JLP must be condemned, in that it could be a deterrent against potential bilateral partners entering into any similar discussions with Jamaica.

Contact:
Lisa Hanna
Information Spokesperson
Tel: (876) 978-1337
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