Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Audrey Sewell, has written to the Office of the Contractor General requesting a probe into irregularities at the National Youth Service (NYS).

The irregularities involve the NYS's award of a $30-million contract to the company of a known supporter of the Opposition People's National Party to provide transportation services for the organisation.

Former head of the NYS, the Reverend Adinair Jones, resigned following news of the controversy, but defended his award of the contract and his nine-year tenure at the NYS.

The clergyman said there was nothing underhanded about how the contract had been awarded. He said the company that won the contract was the only bidder that met all the criteria.

Contractor General Greg Christie is yet to respond to the ministry's request to probe the issue.