News
Holness assumes temporary control of JDIP
(Jamaica Gleaner) Prime Minister Andrew Holness (pictured), has assumed temporary control of the Jamaica Development Infrastructure Programme (JDIP) in the wake of a highly critical special report from the Auditor General’s Department into the US$400-million programme.
The report, which was tabled in the House of Representatives last Tuesday, said, “The Ministry of Transport and Works, together with the National Works Agency (NWA) and the Road Maintenance Fund, which has the responsibility for the implementation of the JDIP, has not executed the programme in a transparent manner. This is evidenced by inadequate capital project planning, monitoring and record keeping.”
In a statement yesterday, Jamaica House said the taking over of JDIP by Holness was done “with a view to reviewing and improving the operating, accounting, reporting and general management structures of the project”.
The media release said Holness will give ministerial direction for the JDIP during this period.
Well-placed government sources say Daryl Vaz, minister without portfolio with responsibility for public-sector efficiency, will be in charge of the day-to-day affairs of JDIP and will report to Holness regularly.
Contacted yesterday, Vaz said he left the Cabinet meeting early and was not in a position to comment on any JDIP-related development.
In the meantime, Jamaica House has announced that no new work orders will be issued for works which have not already been approved and funded and that Patrick Wong, chief executive officer (CEO) of the NWA, had been asked to resign.
Up to Thursday, Wong was insisting that he would only resign as NWA CEO if Transport and Works Minister Mike Henry asked him to step aside.
“This is within the purview of my minister. If he so asks me to resign, I have no obligation but to comply,” Wong said at a press conference called by the NWA and the works ministry to respond to the special audit report.
