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JDIP forensic report suggests conflict of interest
7:38 am, Wed October 3, 2012
Patrick Wong
More disturbing details are emerging about some of the arrangements which existed under the multi-billion dollar Jamaica Development Infrastructure Programme, JDIP.
The forensic report tabled yesterday in Parliament by Transport and Works Minister, Dr. Omar Davies, has revealed a suspicion of a conflict of interest involving former Chief Executive Officer of the National Works Agency, NWA, Patrick Wong, a key player in JDIP's operations.
The report revealed that Patrick Wong's son, attorney-at-law Patrick Russell Wong, was employed to China Harbour Engineering Company, CHEC, the main contractor for JDIP projects.
This was confirmed by CHEC, which stated that Russell Wong was engaged as a consultant to provide legal services.
Patrick Wong stated that he had no involvement in assisting his son to get a job with CHEC, but the audit report noted that this was inconsistent with the electronic data gathered.
It explained that at the very minimum, Mr. Wong provided advice to his son in drafting the contract.
Data from Patrick Wong's computer showed a copy of an unsigned consulting contract between his son and CHEC.
In addition, there was related e-mail correspondence between father and son on advice in drafting the contract.
The report stated that as CEO of the NWA, Patrick Wong's responsibilities included negotiations with CHEC on JDIP matters, while his son was providing legal services to the Chinese firm.
This it noted caused a perception of a conflict of interest, even though there was no evidence that this situation directly affected the negotiations.
The report advised that the NWA CEO should have raised the matter with the Transport and Works Ministry.
Mr. Wong resigned last November as CEO of the NWA, after an Auditor General report revealed a lack of transparency and adequate control systems, in the administration of JDIP projects.
The forensic audit report also contains a number of recommendations to prevent similar occurrences in major infrastructural projects.
They include minimising conflicts of interest, and reducing the risk of errors.
It recommends that the NWA develop or revise internal policies and procedures to ensure transparency and accountability in the decision making process.
In addition, decisions should be adequately documented to provide an audit trail to protect the agency from allegations of impropriety.
It explained that the NWA uses Excel spreadsheets for most aspects of JDIP, but this method is labour intensive, inefficient and results in errors.
It recommends that the NWA purchase and/or develop a computerised project management system to address the payment certificate preparation, project management, and should have password protection.
7:38 am, Wed October 3, 2012
Patrick Wong
More disturbing details are emerging about some of the arrangements which existed under the multi-billion dollar Jamaica Development Infrastructure Programme, JDIP.
The forensic report tabled yesterday in Parliament by Transport and Works Minister, Dr. Omar Davies, has revealed a suspicion of a conflict of interest involving former Chief Executive Officer of the National Works Agency, NWA, Patrick Wong, a key player in JDIP's operations.
The report revealed that Patrick Wong's son, attorney-at-law Patrick Russell Wong, was employed to China Harbour Engineering Company, CHEC, the main contractor for JDIP projects.
This was confirmed by CHEC, which stated that Russell Wong was engaged as a consultant to provide legal services.
Patrick Wong stated that he had no involvement in assisting his son to get a job with CHEC, but the audit report noted that this was inconsistent with the electronic data gathered.
It explained that at the very minimum, Mr. Wong provided advice to his son in drafting the contract.
Data from Patrick Wong's computer showed a copy of an unsigned consulting contract between his son and CHEC.
In addition, there was related e-mail correspondence between father and son on advice in drafting the contract.
The report stated that as CEO of the NWA, Patrick Wong's responsibilities included negotiations with CHEC on JDIP matters, while his son was providing legal services to the Chinese firm.
This it noted caused a perception of a conflict of interest, even though there was no evidence that this situation directly affected the negotiations.
The report advised that the NWA CEO should have raised the matter with the Transport and Works Ministry.
Mr. Wong resigned last November as CEO of the NWA, after an Auditor General report revealed a lack of transparency and adequate control systems, in the administration of JDIP projects.
The forensic audit report also contains a number of recommendations to prevent similar occurrences in major infrastructural projects.
They include minimising conflicts of interest, and reducing the risk of errors.
It recommends that the NWA develop or revise internal policies and procedures to ensure transparency and accountability in the decision making process.
In addition, decisions should be adequately documented to provide an audit trail to protect the agency from allegations of impropriety.
It explained that the NWA uses Excel spreadsheets for most aspects of JDIP, but this method is labour intensive, inefficient and results in errors.
It recommends that the NWA purchase and/or develop a computerised project management system to address the payment certificate preparation, project management, and should have password protection.
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