NWA/MTW TO EMBARK ON $33M PATCHING PROGRAMME

State Minister of Transport and Works, Dr. Fenton Ferguson announced that $33M will be spent over a 12 week period to patch main roads damaged during the passage of Hurricane Ivan.

The Minister said that the National Works Agency (NWA) which will be executing the programme is expected to complete the works on time and within budget. He cautioned however that the work, though it falls during the period leading up to the festive season, should not be viewed as Christmas work.

Among the roads to be patched are the Spur Tree to Gutters main road in Manchester, Whitney Turn to Four Paths main road in Clarendon, Marcus Garvey rive in Kingston, Harbour View to Bull Bay Main road in St. Andrew, Spanish Town to Bog Walk main road in St. Catherine, Montego Bay to Great River and Reading to Anchovy main road in St. James, Agualta Vale to Martins main road in St. Mary, Hectors River to Muirton main road in Portland, Bull Bay to Grants Pen main road in St. Thomas and the Hopewell to Ocho Rios main road in St. Ann.

Minister Ferguson also said that the works which are scheduled in 11 packages have been awarded to 8 contractors in Kingston, Portland, St. Thomas, St. Catherine, St. Mary, St. Ann, St. Andrew, Clarendon, St. James, Manchester and Westmoreland.

The Minister warned that shoddy work will not be paid for and that the Agency will be demanding value for money. He highlighted the fact that no pothole would be repaired without proper marking, measuring and squaring before being patch.