Prime Minister Declares Road Situation a National Emergency as SPARK Project Commences
Prime Minister Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness has declared the road situation a national emergency.
This means road repairs will be given top priority with emergency procurement methods being used.
The move comes in the wake of heavy rains and deteriorating road conditions as the country grapples with decades old road infrastructure across the country.
An additional $2 billion has also been allocated to begin repair work on main roads across the island.
At the same time, Prime Minister Holness signalled the official start of the historic Shared Prosperity through Accelerated Improvement in our Road Network (SPARK) programme.
This transformative initiative represents Jamaica’s largest and most comprehensive investment in road infrastructure, with a total budget of over $45 billion, including $2 billion dedicated to water infrastructure improvements.
The four contracts for the islandwide project were signed today (December 5, 2024) between the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation (MEGJC) and China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC).
Prime Minister Holness emphasized that the project is of national significance.
“This is the first time that there is this massive allocation of public resources that is going to change the way in which we maintain our roads. So all the cynical people and all the people who believe it won’t happen, it has started,” stated Dr. Holness.
The SPARK programme will rehabilitate 660 roads across the island over a two-year period, with an additional year-long defects liability phase, during which contractors will address any defects at their expense. The four project packages cover all parishes:
Package 1: Kingston, St. Andrew, and St. Thomas
Package 2: St. Catherine and Clarendon
Package 3: Manchester, St. Elizabeth, Westmoreland, and Hanover
Package 4: St. James, Trelawny, St. Ann, St. Mary, and Portland
The National Works Agency (NWA) will oversee the programme’s implementation, supported by technical professionals to ensure high-quality delivery.
Additionally, $2 billion will be spent on upgrading water mains and pipes, as part of a broader infrastructure improvement effort.
Prime Minister Holness underscored the innovative and participatory approach taken in the SPARK programme.
“For the first time ever, we introduced public consultation in road selection. What we’re going to be moving towards now, when we implement SPARK, those 660 roads we’ll probably do under SPARK in total, those roads will now be placed on their engineered maintenance schedule with a budget to match,” he explained.
The SPARK project will begin with priority areas, including St. Andrew Western, St. Elizabeth Northwestern, Manchester Northwestern, and East Rural St. Andrew. With its focus on sustainability and transparency, this initiative is poised to modernize Jamaica’s road infrastructure and improve the lives of citizens across the island.
In the meantime, the Prime Minister expressed gratitude to all stakeholders including community members who participated to make the SPARK programme a reality.
A website, www.sparkjamaica.gov.jm was also launched to give members of the public updates on the project.