Vicki J Hanson
The road from manifesto to reality
As the highly anticipated general election in Jamaica approaches, it is essential to reflect on our ongoing efforts towards national development and the public declarations of intent made by competing political parties within their respective manifestos. One such political organisation is the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP). The JLP, in its 2020 manifesto entitled ‘Stronger Future’, committed to improving “road safety and order”.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness’s commitment to promoting road safety and order extended beyond legislative amendments, encompassing substantial efforts to enhance the road infrastructure throughout the island. The plan for road improvement was initially described in his post-COVID-19 2021 budget presentation, titled ‘Recovery, Faster, Stronger, Better’. In this presentation Prime Minister Holness highlighted that the focus of the National Works Agency (NWA) for that fiscal year was “improving main road network”, especially those impacted by climate conditions during the period. Additional roadworks were also budgeted and planned for in that financial year (2021-2022), with the main project being the Southern Coastal Highway Improvement Project (SCHIP) and construction and repairs of several bridges such as the Mahogany Vale Bridge in St Thomas. These projects have provided a much safer corridor to the eastern part of the island, while driving faster, stronger, and better development for the parish of St Thomas. In 2021-22, $50 million was invested in the Road Safety Programme to enhance pavement markers on the North Coast Highway.
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In the 2022-2023 budget presentation, Prime Minister Holness sought to sow the “SEEDS” for “Building Our Jamaica”. The budget allocation focused on the following key priority areas: security, energy and the environment, education and skills, development of infrastructure, and social partnership and unity (SEEDS).
Prime Minister Holness, in 2022-2023, set out to drive productivity and progress by way of developing the country’s infrastructure. Central to the road development in 2022-23 was the signing of the US$274.5-million contract with China Harbour Engineering Company Limited (CHEC) for the Montego Bay Perimeter Road Project. Jamaica’s efforts to develop its infrastructure were further supported by an extensive road rehabilitation and development plan. The primary objective of this plan was to stimulate economic growth by improving connectivity across the island and reducing travel time for commuters.
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The projects outlined in the 2022-23 budget cycle were not only focused on rural Jamaica but also included considerable works on urban road networks, which involved widening and dualisation of major roadways to facilitate improved traffic flows in peak hours. Having sown the seeds for the development of the country’s road network in the national budget for fiscal year 2022-23, the Government went on in the next budget cycle to establish a policy environment to protect and maintain the new road and rehabilitated roadways.
In the 2023-24, the plan outlined by Prime Minister Holness sought to move “From Vision to Reality” by “nurturing the SEEDS” that are vital for the country’s prosperity. One important policy position taken by the prime minister in this period was the consolidation of works between government agencies such as the National Water Commission (NWC) and the National Works Agency (NWA). The prime minister, in this budget presentation, clearly stated that as a policy of his Government “every new major roadway construction or upgrade must have provision for water mains, sewage, and telecommunication”, thereby mandating both the NWC and NWA to work closely to prevent damage to new and/or rehabilitated roadways.
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I believe this is a very welcomed policy approach from the Government, as it is set to save time and money by preventing double work, that is, having to dig up roads after they are built to lay pipes and other utility cables.
The work to achieve the objective of ensuring safe and orderly roadway infrastructure continued in the 2024-25 budget. The focus for the period was on “Building a Caring Economy for You”, which involved ensuring greater connectivity between eastern parishes, such as St Thomas and Portland. However, the primary focus of the fiscal year was to alleviate the challenges faced by many communities concerning their deteriorating parochial roads and the increasing traffic congestion in urban areas.
As a result of this, Prime Minister Holness outlined two significant road infrastructure programmes — the Special Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) and the Shared Prosperity through Accelerated Improvement to our Road Network (SPARK). The former is intended to provided wider and safer corridors in urban areas, and the latter, which has a $40-billion allocation, is targeted at extensively rehabilitating community and parish council roads. This substantial budget allocation demonstrates a genuine commitment and care for developing Jamaica’s road networks for economic growth and the well-being of its citizens.
As we eagerly await Prime Minister Holness’s budget presentation for this fiscal year, and more so the JLP’s manifesto for the upcoming general election, a glimpse of “Jamaica’s Next Chapter” was presented in the recent Throne Speech at the opening of this season of Parliament. This glimpse sketches the plan for “Aspiring for Greatness” in budgeting for the next phase of development. However, what will be of paramount interest is the political plan of the governing JLP Administration, as it will no doubt give us an understanding of the strategic direction for the next five years, if the JLP continues as the political party at the helm of this country.
vicki.hanson@ymail.com
Andrew Holness (Karl Mclarty)
The Jamaica Labour Party, in its 2020 manifesto, committed to improving “road safety and order”. (Karl McLarty)
