Government of Jamaica hunts JDIP consultant

Nedburn Thaffe, Gleaner Writer

The Government has started its search for an independent body to oversee the implementation of the controversial Jamaica Development Infrastructure Programme (JDIP).

The request for proposal (RFP) which was carried in The Sunday Gleaner yesterday came almost two months after Prime Minister Bruce Golding issued a directive to the National Works Agency for the hiring an independent firm to oversee the programme.

Golding made the call in June amid mounting controversy over the construction of a one-kilometre stretch of road in Christiana, Manchester, at a cost of J$800 million.

"The successful consultant will provide advice to the ministry (Ministry of Transport and Works) on project prioritisation, conduct evaluation of the various work activities, review payment certificates and provide project-management oversight in respect JDIP," read a section of the RFP.

Managerial issues

Transport and Works Minister Mike Henry said plans were in place since October of last year, but were, however, crippled due to managerial issues. The newspaper was referred to the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Works for details on the hold-up.

However, efforts to contact the permanent secretary yesterday proved futile.

The JDIP was developed last year by the Government to undertake the repair and upgrading of the country's main and parochial road network over a five-year period. The programme is being funded in part through a loan agreement with the Export-Import Bank (EXIM) of China at a cost of US$400 million.