Highway clash

Lothan Cousins, the People’s National Party member of parliament (MP) for Clarendon South Western, is threatening to boycott tomorrow’s opening ceremony for the May Pen to Williamsfield leg of Highway 2000.

According to Cousins, his planned protest will only be cancelled if he gets a commitment that roads that have deteriorated in his constituency, as a result of the construction project, will be repaired.

The 28-kilometre roadway will be officially opened on Thursday.

The MP has written to the National Road Operating and Constructing Company Ltd (NROCC), which represents the Government under a concession agreement for the development, operation and maintenance of the highway, requesting that a timeline also be provided for the repairs to the minor roads.

In the September 11, 2023 letter to NROCC Managing Director Stephen Edwards, Cousins argued that, despite 70 per cent of the roads affected by the construction activities falling within his constituency, those in South and Central Manchester were repaired while his were not addressed.

He accused the state entity of “obvious political sabotage and political victimisation at its highest” in the letter, a copy of which was seen by The Gleaner.

“It’s quite unfortunate that NROCC has taken a little over two and a half years to provide both a verbal and a written commitment to address our concerns. It is also very unfortunate that no timeline has been provided for the repairs to be executed, and that is a major concern for us as a community,” Cousins told The Gleaner when contacted.

“I’ve said time and time again that we are not against the placement and development of any asset in the constituency which serves the national interest. However, any such development must take into account the local community and the livelihood of its citizens,” he added.

CONSTITUENTS’ CONCERNS

The MP said that his constituents are questioning why the roads in Clarendon South Western have not been repaired, even though they were damaged before those in the Manchester constituencies.

“[They] are asking if this is because both constituencies are represented by JLP (Jamaica Labour Party)/government MPs while South Western Clarendon is the only constituency that has a PNP (People’s National Party)/0pposition MP, and I believe these are valid observations,” he said.

But Edwards disputed the claims.

He said that, in keeping with the contractual agreement, obligations and commitments were communicated to Cousins by way of letter dated October 18, 2022.

“NROCC’s commitment to have the contractor repair any damage that was done to the local roads during construction was reiterated during the Standing Finance Committee meeting of Parliament on March 1, 2023, where MP Cousins was present. NROCC has also communicated this commitment to MP Cousins verbally on numerous occasions, and as recently as September 5, 2023,” Edwards told The Gleaner.

He added that, to date, eight roads in Cousins’ constituency have been repaired, including the Foga, Decoy, and Jamalco roads.

The NROCC boss noted that work to repair roads in Denbigh, Content, Comfort and Duke Street should commence in short order.

“It is important to note that the project will now enter the Defects and Liabilities Phase, during [which] the contractor is contractually obligated to address any project-related defects, including damage to local roads. This provision in the contract ensures that the people of Jamaica will receive the highest quality work for the investment that has been made,” said Edwards as he pleaded with residents in the affected communities for patience.

Edwards said that it would be unfortunate if Cousins fails to attend the ceremony. He said he is hoping that the MP reconsiders.

olivia.brown@gleanerjm.com