Durrant Pate/Contributor

Ten construction companies have indicated their interest in participating in the Government of Jamaica’s J$40 Shared Prosperity Through Accelerated Improvement to our Road Network (SPARK) Programme.

In a statement to the House of Representatives on Tuesday (May 21), Prime Minister Andrew Holness said the six local and four international firms have participated in the pre-bid meeting for pre-qualification.

Updating Parliament on the crucial roadwork programme, Holness emphasised that since the pre-bid meeting was not compulsory, additional companies may submit proposals by the closing date of Friday, May 24.  

According to the prime minister, “evaluation will be done by May 31, to select prequalified bidders based on established criteria including capacity and work experience. Pre-qualified bidders will be invited to submit bid proposals by August 15. It is expected that evaluation and award of contract will be done by September 30.”

The award will be done in four packages of nearly equal value: 

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

Main roads already selected

The bid proposals will be informed by the main roads that have been selected by the National Works Agency (NWA) and from constituencies coming out of the community consultations now taking place. As such, the prime minister indicated that it is therefore crucial that consultation happen as expeditiously as possible.

Ideally, the government would like to have all roads selected by the end of June. The SPARK programme aims to create a safe, reliable and resilient road infrastructure that enhances mobility and connectivity, supports economic growth and ultimately improves the quality of life. 

The government intends to have this programme implemented over a two-year period, with works including: 

• Pavement resurfacing/rehabilitation 

• Sidewalk rehabilitation 

• Drainage improvements 

• Waterline improvements 

• Retaining wall construction.

• Intersection Improvement at strategic locations

Community consultations going well

Holness announced that the community consultations to ensure the participation of citizens in determining roads to be targeted within constituencies have commenced.

Totalling nine constituencies to date, there have been meetings in the parishes of Kingston, St. Andrew, St. Catherine, Clarendon and St. Elizabeth. 

He expects the team to do at least nine constituencies per week and has now scheduled meetings across 40 constituencies over the next month. These meetings are being organised through the secretariat of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), which Holness said has a structure, which is tried and proven and is quite suitable to assist in ensuring that there is maximum input from stakeholders. 

Based on the consultations held to date, 70 roads identified in consultations have been referred to the NWA for scope and cost. The consultations have been well attended with constituents providing valuable input on local/community road infrastructure to be rehabilitated. 

In conclusion, Prime Minister Holness declared, “We have received overwhelmingly positive feedback from residents, local businesses, and stakeholders, who have expressed their appreciation for involving them in the decision-making process and addressing their concerns directly.”