The importance of a road network to the development of a country can never be overstated.

Economies rely heavily on the movement of people, cargo, and services between communities, towns, and cities. When that can be achieved with ease and convenience it makes life better for citizens, investors, farmers, visitors, etc.

Like many other countries, Jamaica has an extensive road network which, from the dawn of the nation, has been shared — in terms of responsibility — between central and local authorities.

While there may have been good reason for that arrangement in the past, the fact is that Jamaica has grown significantly, requiring upgrading and modernisation of public infrastructure.

Over time a large number of our roads have been improved in step with that growth, but if we are to be brutally honest, the majority of the current network was never built to modern engineering standards. Indeed, some were merely upgraded from bridle paths and pedestrian lanes.

The upshot is that many of our roads, particularly those controlled by local authorities, as well as those classified as farm roads, are in very poor condition. They lack proper road profiles, drainage, street furniture (such as signage, verges) and, critically, are not built with stable material on suitable foundation.

Inadequate maintenance, coupled with the forces of nature, the growing threat of climate change that brings persistent rain as well as intense heat, and abuse by citizens who set road surfaces alight when they are angered by any issue, have only made matters worse.

Frustration over all that and the current deplorable state of the island’s roads mount further when, on highlighting defects, the public is told of the split in responsibility for roads between central and local authorities.

Against that background we believe that the Administration should seriously re-examine the proposal of a single road authority made many years ago and which had started to take shape in 2010.

We recall then permanent secretary in the transport and works ministry Dr Alwin Hales telling Parliament’s Public Administration and Appropriations Committee that discussions were being held with the Office of the Attorney General to decide on administrative arrangements ahead of the necessary legislative changes for the road authority.

During that meeting some committee members complained about the state of some parochial roads and lengthy delays in the disbursement of funds for repairs.

The idea of the single road authority is that it would take
charge of repairs to both the main road network and parochial roads resulting in greater efficiency.

While there appeared to be some supp
ort for the idea across the political divide, the municipal authorities and a number of individuals in central government disagreed.

The argument made by opponents is that any such authority would weaken local government. However, we believe that is simply an attempt to protect the gravy train of political pork.

The National Works Agency (NWA), an executive agency, is already tasked with the mandate of facilitating the construction and maintenance of roads to world-class standards and ensuring that all new roads are constructed satisfactorily.

It could, if provided with adequate resources — funding, personnel, etc — and the requisite autonomy take charge of all our roads.

With built-in mechanisms to ensure accountability and transparency, it would be
the best way forward in our view.