..Holness IN CHARGE..

[X]

big man naah play..

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/latest/article.php?id=33339

<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console'"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-size: 14pt">UPDATE: PM confirms Henry stripped of JDIP, Wong resigns</span> </span>

The Office of the Prime Minister has confirmed that Prime Minister Andrew Holness has assumed responsibility for the Jamaica Development Infrastructure Programme (JDIP).

The Transport and Works Minister Mike Henry was stripped of responsibility for the programme last night following an emergency meeting of the Cabinet.

In a release this afternoon the Office of the Prime Minister also confirmed that Patrick Wong, the chief executive officer of the National Works Agency NWA), which administered the JDIP, has resigned with immediate effect.

Wong was reportedly asked to resign by the Transport Minister in order to allow for improved governance arrangements and management safeguards at the NWA.

The developments come four days after the auditor general’s damning report on the management and implementation of the controversial US$400 million road and infrastructure programme.

The Office of the Prime Minister says Holness has taken control of the JDIP until an independent consulting firm has been hired to oversee the programme.

Holness has reportedly assumed temporary control of the JDIP with a view to reviewing and improving the operating, accounting, reporting and general management structures of the project.

In the meantime, no new orders are to be issued for works which have not yet been approved and funded.

The Office of the Prime Minister also says the services of an independent consulting firm are being procured to provide oversight, and quality assurance to determine value for money under the JDIP.

The independent consultant will operate from the Office of the Prime Minister and provide technical advice on project prioritisation, evaluate the various work activities, review payment certificates and work orders, as well as, provide project management oversight of the programme.

In her report, the Auditor General, Pamela Munroe Ellis raised serious concern about the programme.

Among the concern is that there is no evidence of work done for a $23 million project that was signed off by the NWA as having been satisfactorily completed.

The auditor general also found that $102 million in JDIP money was used to refurbish the corporate offices of the NWA.

The transport minister has said, had he known about the plans for the refurbishing of the office with the JDIP money, he would not have approved it.

The Auditor General also reported that the NWA withheld several critical pieces of information that would help to determine whether certain JDIP projects were value for money.

Since the report was made public there have been increasing calls for the transport minister to step down.

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[Magician]

Re: ..Holness IN CHARGE..

If the mismanagement at JDIP was so significant as to require the PM's office to take control, why is Mike Henry not asked to resign?

Micromanaging the JDIP by the PM is not the most effective way to govern the country that has a lot of other issues that the PM must attend to in addition to the impending elections.

If the cut in not deep enough, then it's just a superficial show of power, and he's not really 'in charge'.

[SmoothOperator]

Re: ..Holness IN CHARGE..

Is it too soon to start ringing the bell? Mi a hope sey the PNP get the whipping in this election that they should have got in 2007 when the JLP barely eke out a win but me no want celebrate too early.The poll them look kinda tight with some showing JLP ahead, and another one PNP ahead so it look like it going to be another tight horse race. Holness must not tarry too long but they announce a whole new slate of candidates just last week and you have to wonder how much impact those people can have if they call the election for December.

[mountaingal]

Re: ..Holness IN CHARGE..

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Magix</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If the mismanagement at JDIP was so significant as to require the PM's office to take control, why is Mike Henry not asked to resign?

Micromanaging the JDIP by the PM is not the most effective way to govern the country that has a lot of other issues that the PM must attend to in addition to the impending elections.

If the cut in not deep enough, then it's just a superficial show of power, and he's not really 'in charge'. </div></div>

asking Henry to resign might precipitate infighting that would be damaging at this stage in his tenure, i'd think. Henry is one of the old guard - nice enough man, didnt seem to me back in the day to be one for complex files, yet the fact that he's transport minister and at his age shows that he has some clout. so messing with him by asking for his resignation may be the wrong move at this time.

holness taking over the jdip file himself may also signal a lack of trust in others. u r right magix in that as a new pm he needs to be at the proverbial 35K ft above, but he sounds like he has limited options. the question is who are his allies or &quot;fixers&quot; in the party or government to whom he can delegate tasks like the jdip?

[Magician]

Re: ..Holness IN CHARGE..

I too have nothing against Henry, but for the sake of argument, Holness main motivation in this case is what's good for the party and what's good for himself. Instead of what's good for the country. Although neither party has the welfare of the country on their platform, so I guess that's not to be expected.

I think the Gleaner cartoon the other day was very telling of the kind of tenure that we can expect from Mr Holness. I hope they are wrong and he still proves that he can walk the talk, although his talk is generic in nature and nothing concrete was really promised.

[SmoothOperator]

Re: ..Holness IN CHARGE..

If I've never said it before I'll say it now as I prips this JLP conference. Bruce Golding is one of the greatest public speakers to hold political office anywhere in the world. Unfortunately his oratorical skills were never quite matched by his leadership skills, though he was admittedly put in a difficult situation.

[R_C]

Re: ..Holness IN CHARGE..

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Magix</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Micromanaging the JDIP by the PM is not the most effective way to govern the country that has a lot of other issues that the PM must attend to in addition to the impending elections.</div></div>

Magix, I don't think Holness himself will be doing this. Vaz, I believe, has been given that responsibility. Vaz works out of the PM's office.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">&quot;there is no evidence of work done for a $23 million project that was signed off by the NWA as having been satisfactorily completed.&quot;</div></div>

ahm, isn't this a criminal matter ? Shouldn't the Fraud Squad and the DPP get involved now.......if this is true ? If this is true and law enforcement has not been called in then I would have to agree with Magix that this is a PR stunt.

[SmoothOperator]

Re: ..Holness IN CHARGE..

...and Holness needs to sit with Bruce and learn a thing or two about oratory. He is a bit of a policy wonk and pedant. A policy speech on the conference floor is not the way to go...man a try reason wid people when dem want rah, rah. Wonder what Holness was like in high school...wuz he the guy who the teacher would roll har eyes at him when him raise him hand. LOL!

[blugiant]

Re: ..Holness IN CHARGE..

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TreyJ</div><div class="ubbcode-body">...and Holness needs to sit with Bruce and learn a thing or two about oratory. He is a bit of a policy wonk and pedant. A policy speech on the conference floor is not the way to go...man a try reason wid people when dem want rah, rah. Wonder what Holness was like in high school...wuz he the guy who the teacher would roll har eyes at him when him raise him hand. LOL! </div></div>

juss a give holness a break cah imm a newbie.. dat de onlee reason mii neva bunn fiyah pon imm homo friendlee anwsar to farreen pressure pon jamaica fe bow

[Magician]

Re: ..Holness IN CHARGE..

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: blakkgiant</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

juss a give holness a break cah imm a newbie.. </div></div>

Sorry but once you take the highest office in the land, there is no excuses. This is not the time to learn leadership skills. It's too late for that public speaking class. The PM's office is not the place to build experience to put on your resume.

You either deliver results or it's time for you to go.

[SmoothOperator]

Re: ..Holness IN CHARGE..

Yes. But in fairness to Holness he is a better speaker than PJ and Portia. In one and one interviews he comes off well too, but public speaking is a different skill set. Holness is a C right now, but for someone who is presenting himself as transformational he needs to be a B or better. He needs to employ a speech writer - he has obviously been writing his speeches himself and a coach. He has given two policy speeches in the wrong venue and needs to check himself on that.

[Magician]

Re: ..Holness IN CHARGE..

TreyJ your sound like you should coach him.
Bring up his marks!