Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced that Floyd Grindley, the general manager of the scandal-hit Petrojam has "agreed" to step down from the post.

Holness made the announcement in Parliament Tuesday evening.

Grindley has presided over a series of malpractices at the state-owned oil refinery.

There had been calls for the Energy Minister Dr Andrew Wheatley to be fired as as Cabinet Minister.

Today, Holness did not directly address those calls.

However, he said the Cabinet has accepted that the previous Petrojam board breached several policy guidelines.

He also said the new board has been seeking to correct several issues including human resources.

Petrojam has been under scrutiny amid reports of corruption, nepotism, and questionable spending.

LISTEN: Prime Minister earlier today defending government's handling of Petrojam scandal

"The government by its actions is showing that it is concerned," Holness said maintaining that the Government is serious about accountability.

 

Five Facts about Floyd Grindley

The Petrojam general manager has stepped down amid controversy about his stewardship at the oil refinery.

Here are five fast facts about him:

1. Has over 16 years of engineering experience in the petrochemical, power generation and bauxite industries
2. Worked in a number of senior professional roles both locally and internationally.
3. Prior to joining Petrojam, Floyd Grindley was a partner at Hargrove Engineers + Constructors, a full service engineering company in North America
4. Was recognized in Mobile, Alabama USA as one of 40 Top progressive professionals under 40 years old.
5. Holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of the West Indies (St. Augustine).

 

New mandate for Petrojam board

Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who has responsibility for the energy portfolio says the new Petrojam board, has been given a clear mandate to correct several issues at the state entity. 

The new board is headed by Paul Hoo, former chairman of Supreme Ventures.

The other new Jamaican directors are Rosie Pilner and Wayne Powell, both former senior banking officials.

Holness says Hoo has met with the Petrojam staff and has started to provide oversight for corporate governance. 

The madate:
*Settle industrial relations issues 
*Facilitate Petrojam’s return to full operations

“The refinery is now in routine maintenance mode, almost two weeks beyond the projected time. We are aware that this has created some supply disruption, mainly in bitumen for asphalt,” said Holness.

The prime minister also reported that there were issues related to the approval of travel for board members.

Bahado-Singh was reimbursed for a trip, he did not attend in the United Kingdom earlier this year but returned the money last month after the Opposition publicised the issue.

"Cabinet has therefore refined the procedure for travel to mandate that all board travel, whether it is from Jamaica to attend a conference, or from elsewhere to attend a board meeting in Jamaica, must have the approval of the Minister, through the Permanent Secretary, and then on to the Cabinet Secretary.”

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