The United National Congress (UNC) yesterday defended its decision to initiate legal proceedings against former Petrotrin executive president Malcolm Jones for the company’s failed gas to liquid plant.
In a press release yesterday evening in response to a press conference held by Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi earlier, the party stated its decision was based on “sound, clear and competent legal advice” from a Jamaican Queen’s Counsel and local Senior Counsel.
“We were advised that there was a viable case to pursue against Mr Jones for the loss of over $1.2 billion as a result of the failed GTL project.
“The loss thereby sustained paralysed Petrotrin and crippled its business development projects, leaving a gaping hole in its balance sheet. Petrotrin was eventually forced to sell the plant as scrap-iron without a single cent returned on its investment,” the release stated.
The Opposition party also called on Al-Rawi to disclose his position in all other corruption cases before the court.
“Al-Rawi should also come clean and tell the nation whether he intends to adopt a similar course in the remaining cases against Calder Hart and the Ken Julien-led board of E-Teck.
“The E-Teck case is in fact before the Privy Council after the PP Government won the matter in both the High Court and Court of Appeal,” the release added.