JLP Rally | Vaz says PNP will 'pay dearly' at polls for its pronouncements on the rural school bus programme

Transport Minister Daryl Vaz has taken the Opposition People's National Party (PNP) to task over a statement made by its representative Damion Crawford on Saturday night that his party will not continue the rural school bus programme, as proposed by the Government, if its wins the September 3 general election.

Crawford made the declaration during Saturday night's first of three election debates between the PNP and the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).

But while addressing the JLP's mass rally in Montego Bay, St James, on Sunday night, Vaz said the 110 school buses which are to be used in the rural school bus programme have been outfitted and readied for the start of the upcoming September school term.

"The PNP has failed Jamaica for many years, and every time Jamaica is moving in the right direction, they come with empty promises, 'rum talk' and propaganda. Come next week, I have the school buses ready to roll out for September morning, and I put on brand new tyres on all 110 buses," said Vaz.

"Tom dumb, but Tom nuh fool, and come September 3, they (PNP) are going to pay dearly for that statement they made last night (Saturday). I say to you, vote them out," Vaz continued.

He also told the mass rally that 122 routes will be secured for the school bus system, with approximately 828 schools to benefit over the next two years.

The PNP has expressed criticism over the procurement process involved in the importation of the 110 buses to be used in the rural school bus system. It has also questioned the practicality of using the types of buses that have been acquired. The buses were bought at a cost of $1.4 billion.

- Christopher Thomas

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