In response to numerous stakeholder representations to the Auditor General’s Department and media reports regarding the acquisition of 110 school buses by the METT, a preliminary assessment was undertaken to evaluate the credibility of the claims and to determine whether there was sufficient justification to initiate a formal audit. The special audit was subsequently commissioned to determine whether the procurement and contracts management practices complied with the applicable laws, regulations, policies, guidelines and guidance notes governing public procurement in Jamaica, to attain value for money.

We value your relevant comments to our audit which can be communicated by completing the relevant fields on our feedback form or email us at audgen@auditorgeneral.gov.jm. Please note that due to the volume of information received, we may not respond to you directly; however, we thank you in advance for your response.

Whereas we saw evidence that corroborated certain allegations related to Human Resource and Administration practices inclusive of the hiring of persons contrary to the HR&A policies and procedures as well as GOJ guidelines, other evidence presented did not support allegations of improper awarding of contracts. Nonetheless, we identified instances of improper practices within the procurement process which if left unresolved, could undermine the transparency and integrity of the Authority’s operations. I therefore urge the Transport Authority to consider the recommendations contained in this report, in order to preserve the integrity of its operations.

I take this opportunity to thank the management of the Transport Authority for the courtesies extended to my team during the execution of this audit.

We conducted a performance audit to determine whether NWA’s management of Jamaica’s main roads was cost-effective and agile in accordance with relevant policies and guidelines to achieve value for money and the National Strategic Vision for Jamaica’s road and road infrastructure. The audit focused on selected programme/projects, namely, Major Infrastructure Development Programme (MIDP), and the Junction Main Road Rehabilitation which were substantially completed, as well as the Southern Coastal Highway Improvement Project which is in progress. We found that NWA generally adhered to the Government’s Procurement Guidelines related to the bidding, evaluation, and award process. However, improvements were required in terms of due diligence at the works design stage, and the planning and monitoring of the sampled projects to maximise value from money spent.