Deon Rose, Staff Reporter

Auditor-General, Adrian Strachan has expressed reservations in carrying out investigations into the controversial $31 million transaction made between Dutch company Trafigura Beheer and the governing People's National Party (PNP).

Opposition Senator Shirley Williams had call for the Auditor-General to audit transactions made between the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ) and Trafigura Beheer over the last five years.

Senator Williams also wanted the investigations to be extended to other multinational companies that are in business with the Government.

But when contacted yesterday, Mr. Strachan said he could not say yet whether he would be carrying out any form of investigation.

Not meaningful

He said while he could do the audit of the PCJ, he could not extend the investigation to Trafigura Beheer.

"I could do it but I would not consider it a meaningful exercise," he told The Gleaner, as he explained that he would not be privy to information from the Dutch company.

Last week Tuesday, Opposition Leader Bruce Golding had disclosed information that Trafigura last month deposited $31 million to a Jamaican account with the name CCOC Associates, which bore the signature of former Information and Development Minister, Colin Campbell and other officers of the PNP.

The PNP in defence had said the money was a donation to the party but this was contradicted by Trafigura, which had said it was a business transaction.

On Sunday, the company again stated that no direct payment was made to any political party. The company also said that it was aware that CCOC had political links to the PNP.