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Member of Parliament for Central St Mary, Omar Newell, is raising serious concerns about the chaotic and unacceptable implementation of the SPARK Programme in the communities of Killancholy and Tremolsworth.

In April 2025, work orders were issued for road rehabilitation under then-Member of Parliament Dr Morais Guy, with residents promised completion within weeks. More than a year later, those same residents are facing conditions that are, in many respects, worse than before the project began.

Newell described the situation as “a textbook case of how not to execute infrastructure development”, noting that “what was supposed to bring relief has instead caused prolonged hardship for the people of these communities”.

From the outset, the execution has been flawed. In Killancholy, residents were forced to call in the national media after it became clear that paving was being considered while underground pipes were actively leaking.

He further highlighted a critical policy and coordination gap affecting the project.

“There is clear confusion on the ground as to who is responsible for addressing leaking pipes; whether it is the contractor or the National Water Commission (NWC). That level of uncertainty points to a breakdown in policy direction and inter-agency coordination,” Newell said.

Following excavation, roads were left in a significantly degraded condition, with works stalling for months due to the absence of critical materials, including pipes that were reportedly not yet on the island when construction began.

“This points to a failure in sequencing, planning, and oversight,” Newell added.

Today, both Killancholy and Tremolsworth remain in a state of disrepair. Roads are marked by large craters, and during rainfall they become muddy and dangerous, severely affecting residents’ ability to move safely and conduct daily activities.

According to MP Newell, “this is no longer a matter of temporary inconvenience. This is sustained disruption to people’s lives, their livelihoods, and their dignity.”

He also highlighted the lack of clear and consistent communication, noting that timelines for completion continue to shift.

“Residents are being told ‘next week’ every week. That is simply not acceptable,” Newell stated. While emphasising that residents support development, Newell made it clear that the current situation reflects unacceptable mismanagement.

“A project that was promised in weeks and has now stretched beyond a year cannot be justified. The people of Killancholy and Tremolsworth deserve better. They deserve competent execution, transparency, and respect,” he said.

MP Newell is calling on the relevant authorities:

• Provide a clear and binding timeline for completion
• Clarify the responsibility between the contractor and NWC for all pipe-related works
• Explain how work commenced without critical materials in place
• Implement urgent measures to make the roads safely passable
• Strengthen oversight to prevent a recurrence of these failures.

He reaffirmed his commitment to advocating for residents until the roads are completed and normal conditions are restored.