Mike Henry, Jamaican Transport and Works Minister, Tenders Resignation

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Jamaican Transport and Works Minister Mike Henry has resigned, citing what he called attacks on the Jamaica Development Infrastructure Programme.

“In light of the ongoing attacks on the Jamaica Development Infrastructure Programme, which continue despite the Prime Minister and I having acted to address the issue, as the line minister, I take full responsibility for the issues which have arisen, and today tendered my resignation as Minister of Transport and Works with immediate effect.”

Henry said there was “nothing to hide” about his stewardship of the JDIP, which he called “very important to the country.”

“I look forward to the conclusion of the ongoing investigations,” he said.

In a statement, the opposition People’s National Party called the resignation “a belated response to the scandalous conduct of the entire government in relation to the Jamaica Development Infrastructure Programme.”

Controversy arose over alleged irregularities in the financial administration of the JDIP.

PNP Shadow Minister of Finance, Dr Peter Phillips, said that despite what he said was a promise by Prime Minister Andrew Holness to report to the country on the irregularities, he had not yet heard anything from the government.

Phillips maintained his call for the police to investigate possible fraud in the JDIP’s administration.