PM Dismisses PNP’s ‘Knee-Jerk’ Criticism of REACH Programme

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has dismissed the claim from the opposition PNP that the REACH road rehabilitation programme is simply a knee jerk reaction to the problem of bad roads across the island.

The REACH initiative is being funded through a $3 billion allocation from the Consolidated Fund.

REACH will allocate funds to each of the 63 constituencies for essential road repairs and maintenance, focusing on damage from recent weather events such as Hurricane Beryl.

Opposition Spokesman on Transport, Mikael Phillips says the government continues to ignore the need for the establishment of a dedicated road maintenance fund.

The prime minister says the criticism from the Opposition is shallow.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness.

Meanwhile, Minister with responsibility for Works, Robert Morgan, says the allocations to each of the 63 members of parliament under the REACH Road Rehabilitation Programme will be known by the end of the week.

REACH will be executed in two phases. Phase One will run from September to November 2024. Phase Two is set for January to March 2025.

Minister Morgan says consultations with key stakeholders about the allocation of funds began today with a discussion at the Cabinet level.

Robert Morgan, Minister with responsibility for Works, speaking on Nationwide This Morning on Monday.