Devon Dick | Why did PM Holness diss local contractors?

Why did Prime Minister Andrew Holness diss local contractors in the presence of foreign contractors at the recent signing for road construction from Harbour View, through St Thomas to Port Antonio? It seemed unnecessary, unhelpful and distasteful.

It would have been better had Prime Minister Holness commended CHEC, the Chinese firm, for erecting Jersey barriers which will prevent head-on collisions and save precious lives. He could use the occasion to explain why the original St Thomas design for four lanes was changed. He could also thank the Chinese Ex-IM bank for the huge loans to engage in these extensive infrastructural undertakings at concessionary rates. He could explain why the foreign contractors have opened the roads with protruding manhole covers that drivers are hitting. In addition, he could have lauded the National Works Agency, Jamaica’s oversight body for CHEC, the many subcontractors and National Water Commission.

However, Prime Minister Andrew Holness should not berate local contractors in front of foreigners. If Prime Minister Holness has grouses with local contractors, then a closed-door meeting would be appropriate. The prime minister would do well to follow the example of the chairman of Urban Development Corporation, Ransford Braham, who, in an address earlier this year to Masterbuilders Association, acknowledged the grouses of local contractors and pledged to look into complaints which claim that local contractors are at a disadvantage in relation to foreign contractors.

Is it a valid statement?

But, are the statements by Prime Minister Holness concerning punctuality, quality of roadworks and management building capacity of local contractors valid? Foreign contractors have missed many deadlines for finishing these legacy road projects. Therefore, missed deadlines is not unique to local contractors. And what about the quality of the work of our local contractors? Last year, in conversation with one of our leading local contractors, I argued that foreign contractors build better roads.

The response was that the specifications from government to local contractors for the asphalt laying was for a two-inch thickness, while the specifications given to the Chinese contractors is a thickness of 11 inches. Hence the difference in quality. So, do not blame local contractors. Furthermore, the designs given to French and Chinese contractors had provisions for proper drainage, but many works given to local contractors did not provide for drainage. And, when local contractors are given designs with proper drainage, such as in the case of the Harbour View Bridge, the road surface has stood the test of time. Furthermore, 100 per cent Jamaican workers was used on that project. In addition, local contractors did the widening of the Washington Boulevard corridor in St Andrew and built the runways at both international airports, including the recent extension.

Local contractors built many of our hotels with one local company building 18 properties. I am reliably informed that since the advent of Spanish hotels not one Jamaican architect, engineer or quantity surveyor has been engaged in Spanish hotel construction. Why are there so many problems with hotel construction by foreigners? Why no government minister, in the presence of foreign contractors, has ever lauded our local contractors?

Furthermore, did not a French company abandon the North to South Highway? Do we not witness, almost monthly, some work still being done on that highway? But foreign companies get a free pass.

Paradoxically, our local contractors are building highways in Guyana and St Kitts. Our local contractors are getting more respect from CARICOM countries than from Jamaicans. PM Holness needs to encourage the many hard-working, competent and professional locals.

Then again, the good book says a prophet is without honour in his or her own country.

Rev Devon Dick is pastor of the Boulevard Baptist Church in St Andrew. He is author of ‘The Cross and the Machete’, and ‘Rebellion to Riot’. Send feedback to columns@ gleanerjm.com.