Everton Hunter, CEO of the National Works Agency (NWA), has sought to reassure the public that the Southern Highway Improvement Project is being executed in full compliance with first-world standards, amid concerns that the project could be compromised by the below par operating standards of local subcontractors

Hunter was speaking at a post-Cabinet press briefing today (July 12), where he said that all subcontractors have been selected competitively through an open and transparent process.

He further noted that all contractors are tax compliant and were awarded contracts by their level.

“We’re auditing quite frequently, both by the auditor general department as well as the Integrity Commission, so I would just like to put it on the table that in terms of the execution of the project, we’re in full compliance with first-world standards,” said the NWA chief executive.

The J$22.1 billion project began in January 2017 and is slated to end in March 2025. Hunter shared that given the grand scale of the project, it should be commended that there has been no scandal surrounding its operations.

“It is amazing that the Government is spending close to US$400 million, and we haven’t heard the ‘S’ word, scandal. There is no allegation or suspicion that anyone is in the till when it comes to the south coast project. Indeed and in fact, I would like to inform you that the south coast project is being implemented in full compliance with all the responsibilities that the various entities and agencies of Government that have oversight responsibility have imposed on the Government,” he stated.

However, he did acknowledge that there are aspects of the project which could have been handled better.

Residents in and around the areas where construction has been taking place have complained about broken water mains and dust nuisance, which have severely affected them.

Responding to the dust nuisance complaints, the NWA CEO said it is an avoidable inconvenience of the construction process but strategies have been put in place to lower the impact on residents and commuters.