Mayor Norman Scott of Spanish Town says the National Caucus of People’s National Party (PNP) councillors welcomes the additional $2 billion for main road repairs but is concerned that the government’s focus on major roads neglects the urgent needs of community roads.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced an additional $2 billion to repair the country’s main thoroughfares on Thursday, which now brings the total allocation under the REACH (Relief Emergency Assistance and Community Help) programme to $5 billion.

Scott said the REACH programme, appears to prioritise major thoroughfares, leaving community roads “riddled with neglect and potholes”.

Meanwhile, he noted that the much-touted SPARK programme, which was promoted as a transformative solution to the country’s road infrastructure challenges, remains shrouded in uncertainty.

He stated that there has been no clear communication about which roads are earmarked for repairs or when the project will commence.

“We call on the Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, to provide immediate clarity regarding the implementation of the SPARK programme, including a detailed timeline and a transparent plan for the repairs. The government must begin to realise that the majority of roads are parochial and scheme roads, and failure to address these roads is an already failed attempt to truly remedy the road crisis in Jamaica,” the mayor said.

He added: “As councillors, we are increasingly frustrated with the continued neglect of community roads in our divisions. Our constituents expect and deserve action. We urge the government to develop a comprehensive and equitable plan to address the state of parochial roads, with a clear timeline for repairs and ongoing maintenance. Transparency and accountability in the allocation of road repair resources must be prioritised.”

He is now calling on the government to actively engage with councillors and the communities they serve to develop practical solutions to the ongoing road crisis.