KINGSTON, Jamaica – Opposition Spokesman on Transport and Works, Mikael Phillips, is calling on the Integrity Commission to launch an immediate investigation into the awarding or granting of licences and permits at the Transport Authority.

In a statement on Wednesday, Phillips urged the Auditor General to investigate the management and financial decisions at the Authority over the past year.

Phillips stated that he is extremely troubled by reports emanating from the Authority which go to the “heart of the conduct of affairs and good order at the country’s transport regulatory body.”

“This includes alleged corrupt licence awards, arbitrary staff transfers, improper hiring policies, connected promotions and illegal payments”, Phillips said.

Phillips noted that he believes the Board of Directors would soon be convening an emergency meeting amidst “growing reports of corruption and increased concern by some members of the Authority’s staff.”

He said, however, Board decisions will not go far enough to allay the corruption fears and that consequently, the two independent watchdogs of the state must intervene.

The Opposition Spokesman said a number of these reports had been swirling for some time, and he had hoped for the intervention of the Minister of Transport and Mining, Audley Shaw, to ensure that affairs at the regulatory body were conducted in accordance with the Transport Authority Act and the Public Bodies Management and Accountability Act.

However, he said, he feels strongly that the Integrity Commission and the Auditor General must intervene.

Phillips said their intervention would ensure that the processes and systems at the Authority are fully respected and adhered to.