KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), Mike Henry, has accused the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) of seeking to further delay the long awaited Vernamfield mega-project.

In a release yesterday, Henry said that there really should be no issue about the project at this time.

He was responding to a statement from Opposition spokesman on transport Mikael Phillips, on Thursday, calling for a halt to the bidding process.

Phillips warned the Government against using the limited tender method to engage the contractors. He said that had been informed that five contractors have been invited to bid for the project and that, in view of the recent issues at the State-run oil refinery, Petrojam, the Opposition would not stand by and allow the project to proceed with a limited tender process.

But, Henry, who has been the leading voice for the development of the former airbase close to his Central Clarendon constituency, said that it was in fulfillment of a mandate from the Cabinet that the executing agency, the Airports Authority of Jamaica (AAJ), had legitimately opted for limited tender in relation to a contract to clear the vast property of shrubbery to expedite the process.

He pointed out that the limited tender option was entirely in keeping with Government’s procurement policy.

He said, however, that he was not surprised that the Opposition was continuing its efforts to make an issue of an entirely legitimate procedure.

Henry added that he would be calling a press conference next week to clarify the matter.