MORE DETAILS have emerged concerning the controversial $2 million paid by the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ) in 2006 to a security firm for services at a community centre in Santa Cruz, St Elizabeth.

A PCJ document responding to a query by Auditor General Pamela Monroe-Ellis about the corporation's interest in the community centre said the government entity's budget had a provision for community outreach programmes.

According to the PCJ, in 2006, a charitable organisation, Rainbow of Hope Limited, was undertaking a community-outreach programme. The exercise included the erection of perimeter fencing and replacement of two gates at the community centre.

The security company is listed as Caribbean Protective Security Management and Services Company whose principals were Rodney Chin and Joseph Blackwood.

Rainbow of Hope Limited, the charitable entity, had as its principals Joseph Blackwood, Colleen Nicole Wright and Donovan Williamson.

Yesterday, executives from the PCJ were reportedly peeved after turning up at Gordon House at 10 a.m. to be told after midday that they would have to return at a later date.

Dr Omar Davies, public accounts committee chairman, did not state publicly why the entity could not be heard. However, the meeting ended at minutes after 1 p.m., less than 60 minutes before the House convened.

Seeking details

The committee, last week, sought to obtain details about the PCJ payment to the security company and what was the connection between the agency and the community centre.

A document prepared by the PCJ said a request was made by Rainbow of Hope Limited to the former chairman of the PCJ for the corporation's assistance with the project. According to the PCJ, the request for assistance was approved by the then chairman.

However, the government body said related payments, including those for security services, were approved by the then director for administration.

The document stated that the PCJ was unable to locate evidence of these transactions, adding that they had been concluded within the approved Government of Jamaica procurement guidelines.

PCJ said the matter was the subject of a forensic audit, which was in the process of being finalised.