Transport Minister Mike Henry has summoned JUTC Chairman Russell Hadeed and Managing Director Paul Abrahams to an emergency meeting on the weekend.

A statement from the Transport Ministry this morning (Oct 27) says Mr. Henry, who is off the island attending an international transport conference in Miami, called the meeting in order to be properly briefed on the recent contractual issues bedeviling the bus company.

Earlier this week, Opposition Spokesman on Transport Mikael Phillips called for the immediate resignation of the JUTC board of directors and Managing Director Paul Abrahams, due to what he said appeared to be a breach of government procurement guidelines in the awarding of a contract valued in excess of $50 m dollars to a company called Millennium Security Limited (MSL).

The JUTC issued a statement refuting Mr. Phillips’ claims saying there is no current contract with MSL. However, the JUTC admitted that in the past, it had a temporary arrangement with the company to provide security services on a pilot basis.

Mr. Phillips also called for the Contractor General to probe the mater.

Contractor General Dirk Harrison later confirmed that his office began a probe into that matter three months ago, after a complaint was filed.

The Transport Ministry statement says Mr. Henry welcomes the probe of the Contractor General at the JUTC, because he is a firm believer in transparency and fair play.

He says the operations of the JUTC must be above board and be able to withstand the glare of public scrutiny.

Mr. Henry returns to the island the island this evening.

In another statement this morning, the PNP says it stands by its call for the resignation of JUTC board and Managing Director.