Inevitably, Prime Minister Andrew Holness’s announcement of a $2-billion emergency islandwide main road patching programme will be dismissed by many as mere electioneering ahead of the national parliamentary poll constitutionally due by September next year.

Scepticism and cynicism will gain nourishment from the Government’s announcements of other road repairs and upgrading projects over the last year or two, including a $3-billion Relief Emergency Assistance and Community Help (REACH) programme; a recently launched $1.5-billion constituency-based Maintenance and Clean-up Programme; and the much longer-term $45-billion Shared Prosperity through Accelerated Improvement to our Road Network (SPARK) project.

Mr Holness confirmed Thursday that the SPARK contract has been awarded to China Harbour Engineering Company to rehabilitate 600 roads across the country.

Regarding the emergency patching programme, we believe that whether political strategising is in the mix or not, such a comprehensive short-term measure is an urgent necessity.

We agree with the prime minister that it is needed to save lives, maintain productivity, and protect the national economy.

In truth, Jamaica’s road network is in an appalling state and getting worse by the day.

National Works Agency says heavy rains extending through November and even into December brought “unique challenges”.

The rains have “not only hindered essential maintenance work but have also disrupted the production of materials needed for repairs…” according to the NWA.

Yet, we must restate this newspaper’s position that, while wet weather has made the situation worse, our roads have been in a disgraceful state for years, with very little of consequence being done about it.

And while we acknowledge that cumbersome procurement rules and inadequate resources have contributed to the situation, we believe the deep-rooted cause is as outlined in this space on November 20 that, for the most part, our bad roads have their “foundation in the use of insufficient material, lack of road construction expertise in some instances, poor maintenance, neglect, and blatant corruption involving kickbacks, as State contracts and roadworks rank among the best providers of political pork.

“In fact, there are politicians who have either lost or gained favour among supporters based on how road contracts, in particular, are awarded. The problem [is that] it feeds corruption exacerbated by the fact that quite a number of these so-called contractors have no clue about proper road construction, nor the vital role that drains play in preservation of the surfaces.”

We believe it is imperative that, by whatever means necessary, sustainable, ongoing maintenance of all roads — more especially our main roads – should be compulsory.

For the upcoming patching programme, Mr Holness, in his speaking notes, pledged that: “Contractors will be required to meet strict quality standards to ensure that the repairs are durable and safe. They will be fully accountable for their work, even if subcontractors are involved, and will be responsible for ensuring compliance with these standards. Regular inspections and progress reports will be conducted to maintain transparency and oversight.”

All Jamaicans have a responsibility to ensure that Government is held to account regarding this pledge.

Furthermore, the requirement for quality standards, accountability, and transparency must extend to whichever side forms Government following the upcoming election.

As a nation, we must strive with might and main to put an end to chronic inefficiency and thievery in governance.