PNP councillors demand urgent action on parochial roads

Following Prime Minister Andrew Holness' announcement of an additional $2 billion for emergency road repairs, the National Caucus of PNP Councillors says it remains deeply concerned that the government's efforts continue to fall short in addressing the critical needs of community roads.

In a media release on Thursday, the councillors said the Relief Emergency Assistance and Community Help (REACH) programme appears to prioritise major thoroughfares, leaving community roads "riddled with neglect and potholes".

"Furthermore, the much-touted SPARK (Shared Prosperity through Accelerated Improvement to our Road Network) programme, which was promoted as a transformative solution to our road infrastructure challenges, remains shrouded in uncertainty. There has been no clear communication about which roads are earmarked for repairs or when the project will commence," the PNP councillors said.

They are calling for Holness, to provide immediate clarity regarding the implementation of the SPARK programme, including a detailed timeline and a transparent plan for the repairs.

"The Government must begin to realise that the majority of roads are parochial and scheme roads, and failure to address these roads is an already failed attempt to truly remedy the road crisis in Jamaica," they said.

The councillors are urging the government to develop a comprehensive and equitable plan to address the state of parochial roads, with a clear timeline for repairs and ongoing maintenance.

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