No more JUTC probes

The Office of the Contractor General (OCG), has turned down a request to investigate contracts awarded at the Jamaica Urban Transit Company, (JUTC) under the PNP Government.



The Transport Minister, Mike Henry had written to the Contractor General, Greg Christie asking him to conduct the probe to determine if there were any breaches of procurement guidelines at the JUTC between 1998 and 2004.



However, the Gleaner/Power106FM news team reports, Mr. Christie has written back to Mr Henry saying his office will not honour the request.



Mr. Christie says his office does not have the resources to conduct the requested probe of JUTC contracts awarded under the PNP Government.



Today, the Transport Minister Mike Henry read the contractor general’s response during a press conference at Jamaica House.



However, the Contractor General has commended the intention of the Transport Minister in seeking to investigate suspicions of wrong doing at the JUTC.



The Transport Minister had claimed that based on his investigations no bid was invited for some of the JUTC contracts awarded under the PNP.



He had asked for particular attention to be paid to the Advanced Training College, Metropolitan Management Transport Holdings, Jamaica Ultimate Tyre Company and I.B.I.S.



Mr Henry wanted the JUTC contracts to be examined to ensure that valuable lessons are learnt and that some breaches are not repeated.



Meanwhile, Mr Henry says he will be seeking the advice of the Attorney General as to the way forward with the JUTC.



He also disclosed that he would be addressing the matter in Parliament.



Mr Henry was expected to speak on the matter last week, but he instead only tabled a report from the board of the JUTC in response to the contractor general’s findings at the bus company.



This morning, Mr Henry said he did not respond to the matter in Parliament because he was awaiting the ruling of the Director of Public Prosecution in the matter.