Daraine Luton, Staff Reporter

Smith

MINISTER OF National Security Derrick Smith has all but convicted some members of the People's National Party (PNP) administration that formed the last government, allegedly for misuse of public funds.

Speaking at a Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) rally in Tivoli Gardens on Wednesday night, Mr. Smith said that he has plans in place to drag some people off to jail.

"Right now, day after day, we finding out one and two people who thief money when dem was in government," Mr. Smith said.

"I am here to tell you, when the investigation that is going on now confirm dat dem was a thief, I have a team of police a wait fi lock dem up.

"And once we lock dem up dem a go a prison. For a long time they have been robbing this country and time come to put a stop to it," the National Security Minister said.

The former PNP government was rocked by several scandals during its 18 years in office and some of those scandals have seemingly followed the party into opposition. However, no member of the party has ever gone before the courts on any charge.

Witch-hunt

Some members of the PNP have even accused the JLP, which formed the government two months ago after narrowly winning the September 3 general election, of witch-hunting. These charges came after Energy Minister Clive Mullings revealed in Parliament that the distribution of some four million 'free' Cuban light bulbs just before the general election had cost Jamaica more than $276 million.

He brought documents to Parliament, which he said, raised questions of fraud and informed that the Contractor General, the Auditor-General and the police Fraud Squad have been asked to probe the matter, which was also referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The investigation is in its early stages. But it was not only Mr. Smith who pointed the accusing finger at the PNP on Wednesday night.

"Wi nuh stand fi di 'thiefingness' weh gwaan under PNP government and if you watch wi work, wi going put some a dem a prison," Agriculture Minister Christopher Tufton said.

In direct reference to the light-bulb saga, Dr. Tufton said: "Dem a screw in wid one hand and a put yuh taxpayer money inna dem pocket wid di other hand."

James Robertson, Member of Parliament for St. Thomas Western, was more subtle in his attack.

"We make no apology for standing up for what is right and any man who want to cry will have to cry," Mr. Robertson said.

daraine.luton@gleanerjm.com