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Bloated JDIP contracts - Opposition

Published:Monday | July 4, 2011 | 12:00 AM
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Motorists drive through the gully bordering the communities of Queensborough and Queensbury in upper St Andrew recently. A new bridge to be constructed here is also the subject of questions by the Opposition People's National Party.
A driver stands on the back of one of several vehicles crossing the Cassia Park ford in St Andrew recently. The ford has been closed and a bridge, which is now the source of controversy under the Jamaica Development Infrastructure Programme, is being constructed. - photos by Norman Grindley/Chief Photographer
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The Opposition People's National Party (PNP) last Saturday said it is seeking answers from the Government for marked increases in two contracts under the Jamaica Development Infrastructure Programme (JDIP).

A media release issued by the party noted that the National Contracts Commission (NCC) endorsed the award of a contract for the Cassia Park Road bridge in the amount of $63 million in November 2006. At the same time, a contract was awarded for the Queensborough bridge in the amount of $57.6 million.

"The same bridges have now been included under the JDIP in 2011 and the contract sums for the same scope of works for the Cassia Park and Queensborough bridges are now $151 million and $126.9 million, respectively," the PNP said.

"The Opposition notes that even while factoring for inflation and increases in the cost of construction inputs, there is nothing that can justify the contract sums escalating by 239 per cent and 220 per cent, when the scope of the works remains the same," the release said.

"The Opposition believes this data support our call for transparency and openness in the process by which contracts are awarded under the JDIP, as on the face of it, there appears to be significant padding taking place with these JDIP contracts and the country does not seem to be getting value for the money being spent," opposition spokesman on transport and works, Dr Omar Davies said.

The Public Administration and Appropriations Committee of Parliament recently questioned the circumstances under which a contract awarded by the NCC to Y.P. Seaton and Associates in the amount of $183 million in 2009 to repair road in the Newport West was transferred to JDIP for more than $311 million.

The National Works Agency said an error had occurred in calculating at least one input for the Newport West job.