Peter Phillips GOVERNMENT WILL now be holding private contractors responsible for the upkeep of about 4,000 kilometres of main roads across the island.
Minister of Transport and Works Dr. Peter Phillips said yesterday this was part of the attempts to prevent further decay and further expenditure on the island's roads.
"For the first time ever, we have every kilometre of our main roads being subject to road maintenance contracts because we have a commitment even though we can't improve the quality of all of them as rapidly as we would want," the Minister told the audience at the United General Insurance Company Limited's (UGIC) Road Safety in Jamaica Essay Competition Awards ceremony.
The Minister insisted that the roads would be maintained because "simple things like bushing, cleaning of culverts, (and) ensuring that the drains are clean save us hundreds of millions of dollars."
The private contractors, he continued, would be responsible 24 hours per day, seven days per week to make sure that the above activities were carried out. "We must make the commitment never again to allow our maintenance schedules to be eroded to such a point where we allow our road surfaces to reach such a point over the past few decades where it has taken billion upon billions of dollars to rehabilitate and restore them."
Dr. Phillips later told The Gleaner that some 70 contracts had been signed and that the entire programme should cost about $200 million. However, he added that actual sums paid out could not be calculated until the work is done.
Dr. Phillips also took the opportunity to express satisfaction that 86 per cent of the drivers and passengers were wearing seatbelts but expressed concern at the number of motorcyclists who were not wearing helmets.
The Minister also outlined a number of plans which were either in place or would be put in place to ensure safety on the roads.
Among the programmes already under way were the construction of safety signs across the island and the tightening up of the administration of the Road Traffic Act and other regulations which fall under the portfolio of the Island Traffic Authority(ITA).
Referring to the fact that 27 children have died on the island's roads so far this year, the Minister reiterated that he would be working with the police and other parties to halt the corruption which plagues the system whereby motor vehicle and drivers' licences are issued.
"There are too many cases of corrupt practices which have resulted in people not competent to drive being issued with licences... and anyone who engages in that is as much responsible for murder as anybody who takes up a gun and puts it in the hands of an irresponsible person," Dr. Phillips said. He pointed out that 31 per cent of the 90 pedestrians killed last year had been under 14 years old and had just been in the wrong place at the wrong time.
He added that legislation providing for the restructuring of the operations of the ITA by the end of the present financial year was currently being reviewed.
During the ceremony, winners received cash prizes ranging from $3,000 to $10,000 for their essay on Road Safety in Jamaica. First place went to Yohann Simpson from Cornwall College in Montego Bay.
