KINGSTON, Jamaica — Prime Minister Andrew Holness on Thursday declared Jamaica’s deteriorating road network a national emergency situation and announced a J$2 billion allocation for work to begin immediately to effect repairs to the main road network that has been damaged by persistent rains.

The aim is to return the roads to a drivable condition, he said.

Holness made the announcement at a Jamaica House press conference where he also announced that China Harbour Engineering Company (CHECC) has been awarded the $45 billion SPARK contract to rehabilitate some 600 roads across the country.

The prime minister said the $2 billion will be in addition to the $3 billion that is already being spent under the REACH programme.

“This will be done, following the law as well, using emergency procurement rules. We expect that the work will begin immediately,” he said.

Holness said the National Works Agency has access to 21 Grade One contractors and will use the various methodologies approved for emergency procurement to “engage them right across Jamaica to get the patching and reinstatement of roads to drivable conditions done”.

He cautioned that the $2 billion will not repair every single road.