‘I've done the best I can’
Warmington says Gov’t needs $20 billion annually to keep roads in tip-top shape
Published:Thursday | February 10, 2022 | 12:11 AM
WESTERN BUREAU:
EVERALD Warmington, minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, has given himself and the Jamaica Labour Party-led Government a passing grade in building out the country’s road infrastructure.
Warmington, who has responsibility for the works portfolio, said that despite budgetary constraints, many of the country’s roads are in much better shape than when his Government took office in 2016, despite budgetary constraints.
He argued that high-quality road maintenance required an annual allocation of $20 billion in the national Budget.
“I am satisfied. I’ve done the best I can with the small resources that we have had, and I believe that (between) the National Works Agency, myself, and the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, we have performed well with the little we have had,” said the minister.
Warmington, the firebrand St Catherine South West member of parliament, made that claim while on a tour of roads in Westmoreland on Tuesday.
The minister also broke ground for the rehabilitation of the Marchmont to Retrieve roadway in Westmoreland Eastern, valued at $75 million.
He, however, acknowledged that a lot more could be accomplished if he had the funds.
“Can you imagine if this country was able to find the $20 billion that is needed each year to maintain and keep our roads up to par what Jamaica would look like?” the works minister noted.
For the financial year ending March 31, the minister said he received an allocation of $5 billion, $15 billion short of the desired amount.