Opposition accuses Vaz of misleading public about toll fees
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Opposition Spokesperson on Land and Works, Lothan Cousins, is calling on the Government to provide full transparency regarding the proposed increase in toll rates and the planned expansion of the Mammee Bay Toll Plaza.
In a statement on Friday, Cousins rejected what he described as attempts by Transport Minister Daryl Vaz to attribute the toll adjustment mechanism to the previous People’s National Party (PNP) administration.
Cousins noted the principal agreements that established the framework for the North-South Highway project were negotiated and executed under the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) administration in 2011.
“These include the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Jamaica and China Harbour Engineering Company Limited (CHEC), signed on January 13, 2011; the Framework Agreement, signed on May 27, 2011; and the original Implementation Agreement, signed on November 16, 2011, just weeks before the General Election,” he said.
Acknowledging that a restated agreement was executed in June 2012, Cousins said it was done within the framework of contractual arrangements and financial principles that had already been established.
“As such, the Opposition argues that it is inaccurate and misleading for the minister to suggest that the tolling formula originated under the PNP administration. Furthermore, the Government cannot wash its hands of responsibility for the elevated levels of inflation, now exceeding the upper band of its inflation target, as a significant factor contributing to the announced toll increase,” he said.
The spokesman said the Opposition has also taken note of the Government’s announcement regarding the planned expansion of the Mammee Bay Toll Plaza and said while the ministry has indicated that discussions were held with the National Road Operating and Constructing Company Limited (NROCC) and the highway concessionaire, no details have been provided regarding the contractual basis for the project or how it will be financed.
Cousins is calling on the Government to disclose whether the expansion is being undertaken as a Grantor Variation under the concession agreement; whether the project will be funded by the Government of Jamaica or the concessionaire; whether the works are intended to enable the operator to satisfy its contractual obligation to maintain the required level of service; and, if public funds are being used, and how that decision represents value for money for Jamaican taxpayers.
“The Government owes the Jamaican people clear answers. If the concessionaire is contractually responsible for maintaining the required level of service, then the public deserves to know why taxpayers should finance these works. Equally, if public funds are being committed, the Government must disclose the contractual basis for that decision and explain how it protects the interests of Jamaican motorists. Transparency and accountability cannot be optional when public money and future toll increases are involved,” Cousins concluded.
