Govt to Address Breaches Unearthed by Forensic Audit

Transport, Works and Housing Minister, Hon. Dr. Omar Davies, says the Government has commenced action to address the findings of the forensic report conducted on two major infrastructure projects.

The audit was undertaken by Kroll Consultants Inc., on the Jamaica Development Infrastructure Programme (JDIP) and the Palisadoes Shoreline Protection and Rehabilitation Works Project (Palisadoes project).

In a statement to Parliament on Tuesday (Oct. 3), Minister Davies disclosed that the audit report "has unearthed wanton disregard for the conventions and procedures established by the Government of Jamaica for project implementation, administration and management."

The Minister said the Government is committed towards ensuring "that there is no recurrence of any infringement under our watch,"  and assured that all the necessary steps are being taken to restore and rebuild integrity to this aspect of public administration "which has been severely diminished as a result of this episode".

He informed that a team has been appointed and charged with the responsibility to undertake a full review of the findings and to develop a plan of action to address the weaknesses, inefficiencies and irregularities cited.

Dr. Davies also noted that the report has been sent to both the Auditor General and the Contractor General "so that those officers can take whatever action they consider appropriate".