Cabinet will be updated on the progress of the Shared Prosperity through Accelerated Improvement to our Road Network (SPARK) Programme on Monday, October 7, 2024, the government has announced.

The $45 billion initiative is aimed at significantly upgrading Jamaica’s infrastructure, with a focus on critical improvements to road networks and water systems.

The SPARK Programme, a strategic initiative aligned with the Government of Jamaica’s (GOJ) goals for enhanced economic growth and social development, is divided into four major construction packages.

A release from the government Wednesday stated that the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation (MEGJC) and the National Works Agency (NWA) are in the final stages of finalising the contract negotiations.

“These negotiations, conducted through a transparent and competitive International Competitive Bidding (ICB) process, are focused on finalising terms that align with the Government’s policy objectives and budgetary framework,” the release stated.

The SPARK Programme will target both major and local roadways, undertaking essential work such as pavement resurfacing, drainage improvements, retaining wall construction, and the installation of water pipelines and fibre optic ducts. The initiative is designed to modernise Jamaica’s transportation infrastructure, improve safety, and enhance the quality of life for citizens islandwide, the ministry said.

The Government, through the MEGJC and the NWA, has already conducted two rounds of negotiations and is collaborating closely with key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development (MLGCD), the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service (MOFPS), and the National Water Commission (NWC) to finalise contract terms.

With a projected start date in the coming weeks, the SPARK Programme is expected to continue through March 2027. The initial phase will focus on rehabilitating community and parochial roads, while more complex structural upgrades will follow in subsequent phases, in collaboration with local contractors, according to the release.

The release added that Cabinet will be updated on the progress of these negotiations and the programme as a whole, which it said is poised to transform Jamaica’s road infrastructure, enhancing connectivity and strengthening economic resilience.