New Contracting Capacity Essential to Deliver Jamaica’s Infrastructure Ambitions
Prime Minister Dr the Most Honourable Andrew Holness says Jamaica must build stronger, more capable local contracting capacity to match the Government’s unprecedented investment in infrastructure and ensure major projects are delivered efficiently on schedule and to the highest standard.
Speaking today (Friday, July 3) at the Caenwood SPARK Road Opening hosted by the National Works Agency in Portland, the Prime Minister said the country’s infrastructure ambitions demand contractors with the technical expertise, financial strength and corporate capacity to undertake increasingly complex projects.
The Prime Minister said, “We need an emergence of new contracting capacity that fits the ambition of the infrastructure we are trying to build.”
Prime Minister Holness continued: “We need good, strong, solid contractors. We need to dispel the view that a contractor is simply someone with limited equipment attempting to undertake massive and complex projects. Our contractors must move to a higher level of enterprise, invest in their businesses, strengthen their technical capacity and build the financial foundation required to properly execute the level of infrastructure work that this Government is delivering.”
In this regard, the Prime Minister noted that no previous administration has been positioned to invest as significantly in infrastructure as the current Government. While the challenge of securing financing has been addressed, the priority now is to ensure that every dollar invested delivers quality infrastructure through stronger execution, oversight and accountability.
Furthermore, Prime Minister Holness underscored that the Government is exploring measures to support the development of a new generation of contractors who take pride in their work and see the nation’s infrastructure as a reflection of their professionalism and commitment to national development.
Acknowledging the concerns of Jamaicans about road conditions, the Prime Minister emphasized that improving the national road network requires sustained investment, technical competence and institutional capacity.
“I understand the frustration of every single Jamaican about the road conditions. We will improve all the roads. It will take some time, but we are building out the plan. I want to give you the assurance, give the Jamaican people the assurance that your government is paying full attention to improving your roads,” stated Dr. Holness.
In the meantime, Prime Minister Holness noted that the SPARK Programme introduced a new delivery model that combines strong project management with rigorous quality assurance while creating opportunities for local contractors to build their capacity. The Prime Minister added that the newly opened Caenwood SPARK road reflects the standard of quality the Government intends to replicate as Jamaica continues to modernize its road network.