Mark Beckford, Gleaner Writer

Opposition Leader Bruce Golding has once again raised concern about the source of funding for the People's National Party's (PNP) election campaign.

The leader of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) is alleging that the governing party has received money from a South American country to fund their election campaign.

"I warned some months ago that I have information that there was a plan to source for the PNP ... a substantial amount of money out of a particular South American country. Information I have is that the money has recently arrived," Mr. Golding claimed as he addressed his party's Central Executive Committee at the Jamaica Conference Centre, downtown Kingston, yesterday.

But PNP chairman, Robert Pickersgill, told The Gleaner last night that he could not respond to that claim. "I can confirm no such thing," he said.

In January, Mr. Golding had made a similar claim that the PNP was receiving money from Venezuela. However, this was dismissed by the general secretary of the party, Donald Buchanan.

In October, the JLP leader revealed that the PNP had received $31 million from the Dutch oil firm, Trafigura Beheer. One Government minister resigned after the revelation. The PNP has claimed that it returned the money last month. However, no proof was presented.

Turning to his party's preparations for the general election, which is constitutionally due in October, Golding warned against complacency, urging his troops to be ready.

"A government that has been in power for 18 years is determined that if you can't win it on the basis of your performance, you must try and win it on the basis of cricket and money," he charged.

Mr. Golding also claimed that the increased allocation, from $305 million to $6.1 billion, in the flood-damage repair fund, and $907 million to over $2 billion for road repairs in the 2007/08 fiscal year budget, was part of the Government's strategy to win votes.