Energy ministry knew nothing of Cuban light bulb programme, court told

Livern Barrett, Gleaner Writer

The former permanent secretary in the then Ministry of Investment, Technology, Energy and Commerce (MITEC) yesterday gave evidence that the Cuban light bulb programme was never routed through that ministry.

The testimony by Dr Jean Dixon, the chief accounting officer at ministry at the time, came as the long-delayed corruption trial involving former junior energy minister Kern Spencer resumed in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court.

Dixon, who was led through her evidence by Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Paula Llewellyn, told the court she never received any project document for consideration and was never asked to provide any for submission to Cabinet.

"It never came under the auspices of MITEC," she insisted.

"When I first became aware of it, I thought it was a project to be implemented in a pilot way in one constituency," Dixon testified.

"Which constituency was that?" Llewellyn questioned.

"East Kingston and Port Royal," replied Dixon, who is now the permanent secretary in the health ministry.

The veteran public servant said she expected to see a project document setting out the activities to be undertaken, the costs involved, and a time frame for it to be completed.

The programme, which began in 2006, involved the distribution of four million free compact fluorescent bulbs islandwide. The bulbs were donated by the Cuban government.

Dixon testified that although the programme was not routed through the ministry, she attended at least two meetings where Spencer raised concerns about its implementation.

She said it was at one of those meeting that Spencer indicated that he had oversight for the project.

Dixon testified that representatives of the State-owned Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica, who were present at one of the meetings, voiced concerns about the escalating costs of hotel accommodation for two Cuban nationals supervising the project.

PROTOCOL CONCERNS

She said it was then that she began to raise concerns about whether the Government's procurement protocols were being observed.

Dixon testified that in addition to a project document, the Government's procurement guidelines call for evidence of how a supplier of goods or services is engaged and that such persons are approved by the National Contracts Commission.

"Did you see any list of approved suppliers?" Llewellyn asked in reference to the light bulb project.

"No," the former MITEC permanent secretary replied.

"Did Mr Spencer ever share with you the names of any of the suppliers in this project?" the DPP pressed.

"No," Dixon again replied.

Spencer and his former personal assistant, Colleen Wright, are on trial for allegedly benefiting improperly from the implementation of the project.

Dixon will continue giving evidence when the trial resumes today.