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Daraine Luton, Senior Staff Reporter Eastern Westmoreland Member of Parliament (MP), Luther Buchanan, has asked Parliament to put the brakes on the Jamaica Development Infrastructure Programme (JDIP) until transparency about its implementation is guaranteed.
In a Private Member's Motion tabled in the House of Representatives yesterday, Buchanan said there were too many unanswered questions about the US$400-million infrastructure programme which is to be funded by a loan from the Chinese government.
He argued that until the unanswered questions are cleared up, the programme, which began last month, should stop.
"Be it resolved that detailed information be provided as it pertains to the amount of money to be spent on each project as per parish and how each project and contractor was selected or will be selected," Buchanan said.
"And, be it further resolved that for the protection of our tax dollars, transparency and equity, that a full disclosure be laid before Parliament the procedure for how subcontracts are awarded; the names of the subcontractors for each road for the next two years; how much money will be spent on each road and the basis of project prioritisation before the implementing of the project," he added.
Heckled by hutchinson
Buchanan was heckled by some government members, among them North West St Elizabeth MP, J.C. Hutchinson.
"All wi doing is playing catch-up," Hutchinson retorted.
The St Elizabeth MP has often complained that he was victimised by the People's National Party (PNP) when it formed the government. He said the roads in his constituency were not addressed.
Political representatives have been at odds since the five-year road programme was rolled out. Central Manchester MP Peter Bunting last week boycotted the Manchester launch of the JDIP, noting that nine of 11 roads selected for rehabilitation in the parish were in the constituency represented by Finance Minister Audley Shaw.
But Works Minister Mike Henry said the roads in Shaw's constituency were deserving of the attention as they were ignored during the time the PNP held state power.
Meanwhile, amid the political tug-o-war, the National Works Agency (NWA) is defending its role in the project. The chief executive officer of the NWA, Patrick Wong, told The Gleaner on Monday that the areas to be addressed are chosen based on the state of roads and gullies in some areas and the challenges they pose to movement by commuters.
He said main roads are chosen for the programme based on a profile developed by the agency which speaks to their condition. He also said the NWA, although it is the implementing agency, had no role in selecting parish council roads.
"The parish council roads are selected by the department of local government, prioritised by the department of local government and the instructions they gave us is that it was in collaboration with the mayors," Wong said.
However, Mandeville Mayor Brenda Ramsay told The Gleaner last week that the list of roads the Manchester Parish Council identified for works was ignored. She said the council was not consulted about the new list of roads that have been included for attention.
In a Private Member's Motion tabled in the House of Representatives yesterday, Buchanan said there were too many unanswered questions about the US$400-million infrastructure programme which is to be funded by a loan from the Chinese government.
He argued that until the unanswered questions are cleared up, the programme, which began last month, should stop.
"Be it resolved that detailed information be provided as it pertains to the amount of money to be spent on each project as per parish and how each project and contractor was selected or will be selected," Buchanan said.
"And, be it further resolved that for the protection of our tax dollars, transparency and equity, that a full disclosure be laid before Parliament the procedure for how subcontracts are awarded; the names of the subcontractors for each road for the next two years; how much money will be spent on each road and the basis of project prioritisation before the implementing of the project," he added.
Heckled by hutchinson
Buchanan was heckled by some government members, among them North West St Elizabeth MP, J.C. Hutchinson.
"All wi doing is playing catch-up," Hutchinson retorted.
The St Elizabeth MP has often complained that he was victimised by the People's National Party (PNP) when it formed the government. He said the roads in his constituency were not addressed.
Political representatives have been at odds since the five-year road programme was rolled out. Central Manchester MP Peter Bunting last week boycotted the Manchester launch of the JDIP, noting that nine of 11 roads selected for rehabilitation in the parish were in the constituency represented by Finance Minister Audley Shaw.
But Works Minister Mike Henry said the roads in Shaw's constituency were deserving of the attention as they were ignored during the time the PNP held state power.
Meanwhile, amid the political tug-o-war, the National Works Agency (NWA) is defending its role in the project. The chief executive officer of the NWA, Patrick Wong, told The Gleaner on Monday that the areas to be addressed are chosen based on the state of roads and gullies in some areas and the challenges they pose to movement by commuters.
He said main roads are chosen for the programme based on a profile developed by the agency which speaks to their condition. He also said the NWA, although it is the implementing agency, had no role in selecting parish council roads.
"The parish council roads are selected by the department of local government, prioritised by the department of local government and the instructions they gave us is that it was in collaboration with the mayors," Wong said.
However, Mandeville Mayor Brenda Ramsay told The Gleaner last week that the list of roads the Manchester Parish Council identified for works was ignored. She said the council was not consulted about the new list of roads that have been included for attention.
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