By: Clement Reid and Myesha Broadie

The People’s National Party, PNP is calling on the Jamaica Labour Party, JLP to clarify urgently, reports that it was paid more than US$201,000, by Mexican-based company, Cemex.

Cemex is the parent company of Caribbean Cement Limited. 

The figure was reportedly disclosed in Cemex’s filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

This payment was reportedly described as “fees” paid to the JLP. 

The PNP said Cemex subsequently issued an amended filing to the SEC, which removed any mention of this payment.

PNP General Secretary Dr. Dayton Campbell said the disclosure of fees being paid to the ruling JLP, raises serious concern. 

Dr. Campbell said the lack of transparency around this fee-payment, is eroding public trust and undermining Jamaica’s international reputation.

In the meantime, Dr. Campbell has taken issue with a clarification offered by Caribbean Cement Company Limited.

Yesterday, the company indicated that it made voluntary contributions to Jamaica’s two major political parties.

It added that it did not pay fees to either the JLP or the PNP.

In a press statement, Carib Cement said, the contributions were made in accordance with applicable local laws, regulations, and best practices.

Carib Cement said, with respect to the fee-related amendment referenced in the media, it is the company’s understanding that the amendment, as explained in the amended report, was made solely to correct information included in the original report.

However, Dr. Campbell said, the matter is still a cause for concern.

He stressed that it was Cemex that filed the document, not Carib Cement.

Dr. Campbell suggested that global corporation of Cemex’s stature, would not mistakenly categorise a political donation as a fee.