FORMER executive director of the National Youth Service (NYS), Rev Adinhair Jones, Wednesday defended his tenure at the helm of the organisation, denying any impropriety during his nine years of service.

Jones, who is the chaplain at Ardenne High School in St Andrew, became embroiled in controversy after allegations that he and other senior managers of the NYS breached procurement guidelines in awarding a contract to provide transportation service to the organisation.

It was later revealed that the successful bidder for transport service was an activist for the Opposition People’s National Party.

Rev Jones, who had resigned amid the controversy at the NYS, told a press briefing Wednesday at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston that he has been hurt and personally damaged in the matter.

“The problem could have been resolved by seeking appropriate remedies. Persons in public life must not be put through unnecessary embarrassment. Their record in public service must be protected for the good of the nation.

“I am therefore doing this exercise as a call to find better situations going forward. I am doing it on behalf of others who have been treated in like manner and need to find ways of moving on,” Jones read from a prepared text at the press conference at which he spoke at length.

The former NYS head, in an interview after the event, said he had twice, since the Bruce Golding-led administration took over the reins of Government, offered his resignation. He said that he felt it necessary on grounds of principle since the administration had changed, while the second occasion was when questions were raised about the values and attitude programme.

“.Basically the concerns were whether the programme had taken on a partisan flavour in the past, and when that was raised of me, I thought that it was sufficient for me to offer my resignation,” said Jones.

Jones was retained, but his integrity was called into question following the findings of a transport audit.

Jones said questions were raised in the Auditor General’s Report of 2007/2008 regarding the awarding of three contracts valued at $106 million, without any evidence of a tender process, after which the NYS management sought a remedy for the matter by inviting tenders, which was supported by the National Contracts Commission (NCC).

“.I wish to state that there is neither impropriety nor any question of dishonesty regarding how the tenders for transport service in the NYS has been handled. The tender documents were properly developed. Tender, notice was advertised.,” he said.

One company tendered and met the criteria, but was fully aware that there was nothing binding on the NYS, until all parties had signed off on the agreement. The permanent secretary did not sign off on the contract, effectively rendering it incomplete.

Sources told the Observer that officials of the ruling Jamaica Labour Party were upset when it was discovered that the transport provider was a supporter of the Opposition.

Jones said, however, that he was under legal advice and would not comment publicly on the audit report that was used as the yardstick identifying weaknesses at the NYS.

He said his contract allowed for ease of separation on both sides, and his tenure ended on July 22.

Jones, who had succeeded Rev Garnet Roper at NYS head in 2001, described his tenure with the organisation as fulfilling.