KINGSTON, Jamaica — Member of Parliament for St Ann South East, Kenneth Russell, has criticised the Government’s Shared Prosperity Through Accelerated Improvement to Our Road Network (SPARK) Programme, arguing that it has failed to deliver meaningful improvements to roads in his constituency.

Speaking during a special press briefing on Tuesday titled “Uncovering the Facts on the SPARK Road Programme”, Russell pointed to several communities still struggling with deteriorating road conditions despite promises of rehabilitation under the initiative.

The SPARK programme, which is aligned with the Government of Jamaica’s goals for economic growth and social development, is divided into four major construction packages aimed at improving the island’s road infrastructure.

However, Russell said residents have become increasingly frustrated by repeated delays and unfulfilled commitments.

He highlighted the condition of Johnny Spring Road in Higgin Town, noting that the roadway was among those expected to benefit from the programme.

“The challenge with this road was that there was a promise sold to the country that under SPARK, this road would be rehabilitated,” Russell said. “They were given dates before the hurricane and since the hurricane, we have had not just one or two, not three…[but] at least six start dates.”

According to Russell, those deadlines have passed without any explanation being given to residents.

He said the situation “reflects the height of disrespect” toward communities depending on the roadworks.

He further argued that the issue is particularly serious because St Ann South East has approximately 225 kilometres of National Works Agency-managed roads, the highest of any constituency in Jamaica, with about 80 per cent reportedly in need of rehabilitation.

“None of that has happened in this constituency in the longest while to any road,” he said. “There is hardly a kilometre of road that you can traverse in my constituency without potholes.”

He said residents in communities such as Dunnsville, White Hall and Nine Mile are experiencing major difficulties travelling in and out of their areas because of the poor road conditions.

He also drew attention to the roadway near Golden Grove Primary School, describing it as one of the worst sections in the constituency.

“When it rains, it’s treacherous,” Russell stated.

He maintained that many of these roads were expected to be addressed under the SPARK programme but little progress has been made.

“What SPARK has done is create this heightened sense that some relief is on the way, and it hasn’t delivered,” he said.

He disclosed that nine roads in his constituency are listed under the SPARK programme at a projected cost of approximately $2.3 billion. However, he said only $315 million has so far been allocated.

Russell explained that is less than 15 per cent, and he said, to make matters worse, the $315 million has been allocated for only three roads.

He added that only one of those projects has begun, while the other two have received multiple start dates without any construction activity taking place.

Russell also noted that even if all nine roads under the programme were completed, they would account for less than 40 per cent of the National Works Agency-managed roads in the constituency.

He further raised concerns about breakaways affecting areas including White Hall and Nine Mile, warning that urgent intervention is needed before lives are lost.

“I would hate if it would have to come to someone losing their lives for action to be taken,” he said.

— Carlysia Ramdeen