No brakes for road repairs - Government presses ahead with JDIP project

Brian Bonitto • Special Assignment Editor

Despite extensive damage to the island's roadways, caused by last week's Tropical Storm Nicole, the Government says it is pressing ahead with its schedule of rehabilitation projects under the Jamaica Development Infrastructure Programme (JDIP).

"The JDIP will commence as scheduled with adjustments being made to reflect the new emergencies as we go along," Minister of Transport and Works, Mike Henry, told Automotives. "However, the immediate thrust is restoration and access."

Started at the end of September, the JDIP is a five-year project funded by the government of China. The project will see the allocation of J$36 billion to restore major and parochial roads, bridges, walls as well as periodic road maintenance.

Minister Henry said the recent tropical storm, however, had caused a revamping of previous plans.

"Some emergency situations have arisen which were not part of the programme," the minister said, "and these have to be factored into the overall infrastructure challenges to be tackled going forward."

The transport and works minister said he was unable to put a price tag on the damage caused by Nicole, but claimed it would be "significant". He was, however, certain that there would be some rechannelling of JDIP resources.

"There will have to be some diversion of funds but it is too early to establish the extent and the amounts involved. Very importantly, priority, in terms of public needs, will be the focus going forward. The realisation of additional funding to address the new challenges will determine how much realignment will have to be done," he said.

Stephen Shaw, communications manager at the National Works Agency (NWA), echoed the minister's sentiments.

"The scope of work has to be revisited to incorporate the recent events," said Shaw. He added that it was 'all hands on deck' for his organisation.

"There are blocked roads in all parishes and all NWA parish offices have been mobilised," he said. "Despite the challenges, we're doing the best we can to reopen and clear the roadways."

13 killed

Tropical Storm Nicole has claimed 13 lives and has left millions of dollars in damage since it began pelting the island last week.

From preliminary estimates in the ministry of transport and works, the parishes of St Andrew, St Catherine, Clarendon, St Mary, St Elizabeth, Westmoreland, St James and Portland appear to have been the hardest hit.

Residents of St Thomas were temporarily cut off from Kingston as the Bailey bridge joining both parishes suffered extensive damage. A fording has since been constructed.

"The assessment process remains ongoing, with some of the most critical contingency arrangements already in place, such as the early restoration of the ford at Harbour View," Minister Henry said.

Recently, the Opposition People's National Party criticised the Government's proposed implementation of the JDIP fund, claiming it was to be executed along political partisan lines and demanded full disclosure of the process.

"The assessment process continues and I am touring the island to have a first-hand input in the determination of the highest priorities," Henry said.

brian.bonitto@gleanerjm.com