Kingston mayor lashes ORA

Kingston Mayor Andrew Swaby has criticised the Government’s One Road Authority (ORA) initiative, arguing that it does not address the problem of inadequate funding for road maintenance.

Cabinet recently approved a policy framework for the ORA, which is mandated to regulate road performance and standards across the island. The approval paves the way for a two-phased implementation of the ORA, which will operate under the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development.

In the first 90-day phase, an enabling framework outlining legislative and regulatory changes, as well as the operational design, is expected to be drafted. Cabinet must approve this phase before the commencement of the second phase, which is expected to last 24 months. That phase will focus on the declaration of roads under approved criteria, publication of an interim road roster, and the harmonisation of legislation and data management systems.

Consultations are reportedly ongoing among the relevant ministries, agencies, and mayors. Still, Swaby said the fundamental challenge affecting Jamaica’s deteriorating road systems has not been addressed.

“The One Road Authority (ORA) is expected to assume responsibility for setting standards and providing regulatory oversight for road maintenance across the island. This is a role which, if properly executed, could bring greater consistency and coordination,” he noted during the KSAMC’s monthly municipal meeting yesterday.

INADEQUATE FUNDING

“However, significant issues remain. The primary challenge in effecting road maintenance across the island has always been inadequate funding,” charged Swaby, adding, “It is not yet clear how the establishment of the One Road Authority will address this persistent issue.”

Despite preliminary consultations, he said, “There is also no clear indication of how local authorities will access increased allocations from the central government to maintain and rehabilitate roads under our care effectively. We must also confront the reality that our technical capacity remains below what is required.”

Swaby further explained that the roads and works department at the KSAMC operates with fewer technical officers than required, and that it is not within the municipality’s power to expand. He noted that the municipality must demonstrate its capacity to finance staff from its own source revenues before positions can be filled.

“The approved establishment structure of the KSAMC provides for four assistant superintendents; at present, we only have one. Likewise, of the 15 approved works overseer positions, only one is currently filled. That illustrates the scale of the gap,” he said.

“Councillors, we are in dire straits. As the Government moves forward with the establishment of the One Road Authority, there must be equal consideration for the capacity of local authorities to carry out their responsibilities,” he continued. “These are critical issues that must be addressed if the authority intends to achieve its objectives.”

Nonetheless, Swaby said, he is encouraged that mayors’ concerns are being heard, especially regarding the inclusion of local authorities in any centralised road management framework.

According to Robert Morgan, minister with responsibility for works in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development, the ORA policy framework is being drafted alongside the Jamaica Road Designation Framework and the Jamaica Road Register.

“We are already in the process of creating the Jamaica Road Register website, where every Jamaican will have access to a list of all roads, the quality of the road, and who is responsible for it – and, ultimately, when it will be repaired. If it has been repaired, the public will also see who carried out the work and the value of the repair,” he outlined.

He added that the register will also allow citizens to submit questions and complaints regarding roads.

corey.robinson@gleanerjm.com