PNP's $10b debt

• Henry says Opposition's misuse of funds racked up huge charges

ACCUSING THE former People's National Party (PNP) administration of corrupt practices on a major road project, Transport and Works Minister Mike Henry says the Government is now facing a $10-billion claim from a large contractor.

Henry yesterday launched a blistering attack on the parliamentary Opposition accusing the then PNP government in early 2000 of misusing public funds in an attempt to better its chances to win an election.

"Cabinet will have to settle a claim by a company called Pihl," said Henry, in the sum of $10 billion.

Henry, in his presentation to the Budget Debate yesterday, hit back at Opposition Spokesman on Finance Dr Omar Davies who on Tuesday charged that the Government was concealing the spendings on the Jamaica Development Infrastructure Programme (JDIP) in the Jamaica Public Bodies.

The Opposition wants the $8.7-billion project this year to be set out in the Estimates of Expenditure.

The usual verbal sparring erupted between members on both sides of the political divide.

Leader of opposition business in the House, Derrick Kellier, rose on a point of order. He said Henry was reading from a document that "we have no knowledge of".

But Henry responded by saying he was reading from his report.

Deputy speaker of the House, Marissa Dalrymple-Philibert, signalled that Henry should continue his presentation.

The Opposition then faded into silence after failed attempts to stop Henry in his tracks as he turned up the heat on Dr Davies and former Transport and Works Minister Robert Pickersgill.

"I won't call the name of the country who mentioned a large cadre of employees beyond the required number for the project," Henry said.

According to Henry, at one stage 1,500 people were employed to the project.

The transport minister suggested that consultants linked to the programme had reported that vehicles involved in the project were seen "transporting voters on election day".

"Vehicles being openly involved in election campaign and a significant number of vehicles reported stolen," he added.

On Tuesday, Davies said the Opposition was willing to cooperate with the Government in the interest of nation building but said the JDIP is a major issue of discord.

"There is need to give the people hope, and the revamping of the JDIP programme may not be acceptable to a few persons who are doing well, but would have a significant impact on the lives of thousands who simply have no hope for the future," Davies said.

But Henry has said the Opposition's position is not sincere and that they want the JDIP cancelled.