Speed up execution of $40b road programme
Published:Wednesday | October 11, 2023 | 12:05 AM
THE EDITOR, Madam:
The late Wilmot ‘Mutty’ Perkins, on his radio programmes, occasionally reminded listeners of a statement made by former Mayor of Atlanta Andrew Young: “We should applaud achievements, not announcements.”
In Jamaica, there is an inordinate amount of time between announcement of projects by government and their actual implementation. Consequently, prospective beneficiaries raise concerns about the seriousness or capability of elected officials to do things for them. Inevitably, it leads to frustration, demonstration, and even character assassination.
During the Budget presentation of 2023, both the prime minister and finance minister announced a $40-billion road rehabilitation programme to commence in June 2023. More than six months have now elapsed since their declaration, but the roads seemed to have deteriorated, not improved.
There is evidence of road patching, but I don’t consider such intervention to be sufficient. Furthermore, it is inconceivable that such a vast sum of money could be for mere filling of potholes. The bumpy roads, interspersed with numerous cavities, need to be scarified and rebuilt to sustainable standards.
The protracted waiting period for the start of meaningful road repairs is undesirable. I therefore urge the Government to accelerate the process so execution can begin post-haste.
Motor vehicles are being battered, while owners struggle to fix and maintain them. And so it’s a genuine, urgent plea for relief from the prevalence of dilapidated roads.
PETER A. P. GORDON
Mandeville, Jamaica