Tyrone Reid, Enterprise Reporter

In the latest twist to the saga involving the controversial spending of more than $28 million from the Universal Access Fund, Opposition Leader Bruce Golding has appointed a specialist team of professionals to probe the multimillion-dollar payout.

The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Leader has charged that the Government has ignored calls by Clive Mullings, Opposition Spokesman on Mining, Energy & Telecommunications, for a forensic audit of the fund, which falls under the portfolio of Phillip Paulwell, Minister of Industry, Technology, Energy and Commerce.

Minett Palmer, the lawyer who received the $28.2 million for legal services, was also an adviser to Minister Paulwell, as well as a director of the company mandated to manage the money.

In a statement issued yesterday, Mr. Golding did not mince words in describing what he believes to be shady transactions.

"What has gone on at the Universal Access Fund involved more than a lack of transparency, absence of due diligence, conflict of interest, exorbitant fees and tax evasion," he stressed.

In addition to opining that this was "only the latest in a series of scandals which has characterised the PNP government", Mr. Golding reiterated his party's commitment to establishing a special prosecutor to investigate and prosecute public officials involved in corruption.

The team of lawyers and accountants commissioned by Mr. Golding has been asked to determine the specific nature of the irregularities and whether the matter should be referred for criminal investigations.

A matter of urgency

When contacted yesterday, Senator Dwight Nelson, Opposition Spokesman on Information, told The Gleaner that the investigation would be expedited. "The investigative team is going to be dealing with it as a matter of urgency," he said. However, Senator Nelson was unable to say when the probe would begin or end.

He also declined to name the team members. "I can't give you details; the team will determine the methodology it will use to come up with the empirical evidence," he said.

The Universal AccessFund Company Limited, which was incorporated in May 2005, is a government entity that collects a levy on incoming international calls to Jamaica. The revenue earned from the charges, which now stands at more than $2.5 billion, should go towards financing the implementation of the national e-Learning Project.