Letter of the Day | More accountability for the SPARK Programme
Published:Monday | June 24, 2024 | 12:06 AM
THE EDITOR, Madam:
The letter of the day dated June 15, penned by Dudley McLean and headlined ‘Where are the road engineers?’ is an interesting article which, in part, raised concerns that the SPARK initiative to address unrepaired roads “will end up as a waste of taxes, if we continue to have no guaranteed standards, including drainage, to prevent the destruction of our roads when it rains”.
I agree with McLean, if there are no guaranteed road construction standards put into place, the entire J$40-billion SPARK Programme will become a gigantic failure. The questions which need to be asked are as follows: Are the required road repair internationally accepted standards placed into the various SPARK repair road contracts? Are the necessary drainage systems in place after those roads are repaired or constructed? Which government agency will have the authority to have oversight for the SPARK programme? It would seem to me eminently sensible for the relevant laws to be amended, so that all roads be placed via oversight at the Office of Utilities Regulation, as suggested by McLean.
Some decades ago, the Public Works Department was responsible for the construction and repairs of roads. They did a professional job; the roads were constructed at a very high standard and lasted much longer.
It is imperative that the Andrew Holness-led Government implement some policy changes to allow the National Works Agency to repair all roads. Over the many years, the local road contractors have done a poor job and clearly, taxpayers have not got value for money. However, overseas road contractors have always done a first-class job meeting the requisite internationally accepted road construction standards and requirements. Just take a look at the highway projects which China Harbour Engineering Company has successfully completed across Jamaica. Thankfully, it appears that only overseas companies will be approved and awarded the contracts under the SPARK Programme. No local road contracting company is qualified to apply – they need to get their act together
All road contracts under the SPARK programme must be monitored and evaluated so that those road repair contracts are done to the relevant standards. SPARK is an excellent programme and is expected to last 24 months. Hopefully, no form of corruption will be involved under the programme. Senator Peter Bunting recently said he is publicly warning the Government to ensure that no form of corruption takes place under the SPARK Programme.
Are enough qualified road engineers being trained in Jamaica? Is their training on par with international standards? The days when road contracts were awarded to people who knew people must be brought to an end. Only qualified, certified and competent road contractors be awarded these contracts.
On another matter, why is every other new bypass road being built in Jamaica are toll roads? Under no circumstance should toll be charged on the Long Hill bypass and the Montego Bay perimeter roads.
ROBERT DALLEY