Edmond Campbell, Senior Staff Reporter

CABINET WILL shortly examine the findings of a forensic audit into the controversial US$400-million Jamaica Development Infrastructure Programme (JDIP) and Palisadoes Shoreline Protection Project.

Transport, Works and Housing Minister Dr Omar Davies received the final copy of the forensic audit last Friday from a team of consultants representing the Canadian firm Kroll Consulting, which conducted the probe.

Approximately $16 million was budgeted to carry out the forensic investigation.

A well-placed government source has indicated that Cabinet has not yet examined the report, but it is believed that the findings of the forensic audit will come under the microscope of Cabinet early next week.

Permanent secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Works Audrey Sewell told The Gleaner on Wednesday that the forensic audit of JDIP was now complete and a report delivered to the portfolio minister.

Sewell said the report would be reviewed by Cabinet, after which it is to be tabled in Parliament as a ministry paper.

The permanent secretary also indicated that a copy of the forensic audit would also be sent to the Office of the Contractor General (OCG). The OCG has been conducting its own investigations into JDIP.

The audit was first scheduled for completion in July, but the deadline shifted to the end of August and the report was delivered a week later.

Delay in the completion of the audit was due to additional information requested by the consultants from a government agency.

As part of the terms of reference, the audit is seeking to determine whether any fraudulent transactions or acts of fraud had been involved in the JDIP and Palisadoes Shoreline Protection Project.

Former Prime Minister Andrew Holness had called for the audit in the wake of a damning report by Auditor General Pamela Monroe-Ellis on the JDIP.

The auditor general's report triggered the resignations of Patrick Wong, former chief executive officer of the National Works Agency, and subsequently, then Transport and Works Minister Mike Henry.

The report found that the NWA used $102 million of JDIP money to refurbish its offices.

edmond.campbell@gleanerjm.com