KINGSTON, Jamaica — Member of Parliament for St Andrew North Central Delano Seiveright, has sharply criticised the National Works Agency (NWA) after the agency failed to attend a packed Constituency Development Fund (CDF) meeting held Thursday at St Richards Primary School despite being formally invited.

The meeting, which drew strong resident turnout and intense discussion around deteriorating roads, drainage and infrastructure concerns across the constituency, also saw Seiveright strongly endorsing Prime Minister Andrew Holness’s push toward establishing a unified One Road Authority.

“The prime minister is absolutely correct. Jamaica urgently needs a far more coordinated and modern road management system. The current fragmented structure is beyond outdated. Accountability is too scattered, coordination is too weak and residents are tired of the delays and bureaucracy,” Seiveright said.

He pointed to recent Government statements outlining that the proposed One Road Authority would improve coordination, accountability and infrastructure planning across Jamaica’s road network while reducing duplication and delays between agencies and utility providers.

Seiveright said residents at the meeting voiced deep frustration over potholes, deteriorating road surfaces, delayed repairs and roads repeatedly being dug up and left in poor condition for extended periods, particularly following National Water Commission works.

“I have made repeated representations, conducted site visits, written letters and escalated numerous matters affecting roads across the constituency. Residents are frustrated and frankly I share their frustration,” he stated.

He argued that while Jamaica’s road challenges are extensive, with more than 27,000 kilometres of roads islandwide under varying management arrangements, responsiveness and execution remain major concerns.

“At times it feels like absolute hell trying to get certain issues addressed despite repeated follow-up,” Seiveright added.

He noted that while the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) has been making efforts within the constituency, resource constraints facing local authorities are evident.

“KSAMC is trying in many respects, but the scale of the challenge clearly exceeds available resources, and that is another reason the One Road Authority framework makes enormous sense,” he said.

Seiveright also disclosed that due to slow responses from relevant authorities, he has increasingly had to seek assistance from private sector stakeholders and community-minded partners to help address some road and infrastructure concerns within the constituency.