Daraine Luton, Staff Reporter

THE CLOUDS surrounding the distribution of 'free' Cuban light bulbs under the People's National Party (PNP) government before the September 3 general election got even more ominous at yesterday's sitting of the House of Representatives.

Before the end of the sitting, Kern Spencer, the former Minister of State in the Ministry of Investment, Technology, Energy and Commerce (MITEC), who had direct responsibility for the project, wept.

Volunteers paid by Cuba

Clive Mullings, the Minister of Energy, Mining and Telecommuni-cations, earlier, told the house that Cuba had in fact paid volunteers a stipend to help install energy-saving bulbs, which Cuba had given as a gift to Jamaica.

Mr. Mullings told the House that Universal Management and Development Company Ltd., a company which was incorporated shortly before the project started in 2006, had received payment of more than $49.7 million for the transportation stipend and accommodation of the Cubans.

Mr. Mullings said that his checks with the Cuban authorities had revealed that Cuba had given its volunteers a stipend.

"I have had to, on behalf of the government of Jamaica, say to the Cuban authorities that we indeed, cherish the relationship that we have with them and will leave no stone unturned to have this cloud removed and dealt with," Mr. Mullings said.

On October 23, Mr. Mullings told the House of Representatives that it had cost Jamaica in excess of $276.5 millions in the distribution of free Cuban light bulbs.

The Contractor General and the Auditor General were called on to investigate the circumstances under which the last PNP administration accrued the questionable bill and yesterday, Mr. Mullings said that the Fraud Squad had been called upon to investigate. He also said the matter had been referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The Cuban government had donated four million of these bulbs. The PNP administration, according to Mr. Mullings, requested that the Cubans help in distributing the light bulbs. He said that the Cuban government expressed shock that Jamaica paid money, supposedly to the Cubans as well. The distribution of the bulbs commenced in 2006.

"This is not just a question of irregularities; this raises questions of fraud," Mr. Mullings stated.

An animated Mr. Spencer, who was seemingly kept from responding to Mr. Mullings' statement by PNP members, broke down in tears.

Obviously flustered, Mr. Spencer gestured many times as Mr. Mullings addressed the House and it was probably words from PNP chairman Robert Pickersgill, who took up position next to Mr. Spencer that kept the North East St. Elizabeth Member of Parliament from responding.

"Kern, Kern sit down," Mr. Pickersgill said at one stage after the House had erupted while Government members shouted "Talk Kern, talk ... defend yuh self yute!".

"Where is Paulwell?" James Robertson, the Member from Western St. Thomas enquired.

Phillip Paulwell, the Minister in charge of the Ministry at the time, was not in the house at the time but turned up one hour and 36 minutes late.

But with some Government members prompting him to respond, even shouting at him, it was too much for Mr. Spencer. As he used his bare hands to wipe his teary eyes, three-time Member of Parliament Sharon Hay-Webster left her seat to rub him on the back.

Portia Simpson Miller, the Opposition Leader who projected herself as 'Mama' during the recent election campaign, also walked over to offer an encouraging word.

Mrs. Simpson Miller had demanded that her former ministers in the MITEC, Paulwell and Spencer furnish her with a report on the light bulb project.

The report was submitted yesterday.