OPPOSITION LEADER Andrew Holness yesterday admitted that the US$400 million Jamaica Infrastructure Development Programme (JDIP) was hit by cost overruns and "issues of management".

Holness, who was quizzing Transport, Works and Housing Minister Dr Omar Davies on the findings of the forensic audit into JDIP, charged that there was no evidence of corruption and impropriety as set out in the audit.

However, Davies argued that the Opposition Leader's conclusion in relation to matters of corruption and impropriety was inaccurate. He said the implementation of the biggest infrastructure project financed by loan funds had been executed in a manner "unknown" to legislators and even members of the then administration.

"What kind of governance are we speaking about, and what is the proper characterisation, if not impropriety, where you can sign an agreement for 19 projects and you are at 1,000 and there is nobody who knows."

Holness asked Davies whether he believed criminal charges could arise from the report which has been submitted to Contractor General Greg Christie and Auditor General Pamela Monroe-Ellis.

Responding, Davies said he would not speculate about the outcome of the investigations by the Contractor General.

"This approach to project implementation was damaging and it has undermined the credibility of a very important institution in the governmental structure," Davies said.