DAVIES

SOLICITOR GENERAL Douglas Leys has advised Parliament's public accounts committee (PAC) to halt its probe into a controversial payment by the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ) to a security company for services at a community centre in Santa Cruz in 2006.

Auditor General Pamela Monroe Ellis, in her report, said the PCJ had no affiliation with the community centre, yet $2 million was paid to Caribbean Protective Security Management and Services Company Limited for services rendered at the location.

The principals of the security firm are Rodney Chin and Joseph Blackwood.

Seeking advice

PAC Chairman Dr Omar Davies told the committee yesterday he sought advice from the solicitor general as to whether the committee should continue its investigation into the matter.

Dr Davies said he made this query against the background of an investigation launched by the office of the contractor general (OCG).

The chairman said he received the solicitor general's opinion, in a telephone conversation, but noted that his advice would be subsequently submitted in writing.

No presentation

Little more than a week ago, executives from the PCJ returned to Gordon House, but were later advised that the committee could not receive their presentation, as other government agencies were being dealt with at the time.

The PCJ officials had previously appeared before the committee but failed to provide a clear explanation about the questionable payment.

On September 24, a three-member team from the OCG turned up at the offices of the PCJ to collect documents as it commenced investigations into the payment.

The contractor general had written to PCJ boss, Dr Ruth Potopsingh, advising her that the OCG would start a probe into the matter on September 24.