Following a review of the National Works Agency’s (NWA) routine maintenance programme, inclusive of a survey of contractors’ performance and payment schedules, the next set of contracts for that programme will be better managed and executed.

This was emphasized by Dr. Fenton Ferguson, State Minister in the Ministry of Transport and Works, during his contribution to the 2004/05 Sectoral Debate in the House yesterday (July 6).

He said the survey had identified contractors who had performed poorly and that those contractors would not be considered this time around in the contract awards.

Dr. Ferguson noted that some of the problems identified in the project, which involved 55 packages covering all rural constituencies, ranged from unacceptable work and late payment of contractors to non-payment of workers by contractors, even when such contractors had been paid by the NWA.

On the matter of traffic management Dr. Ferguson said pedestrian crossings had been re-marked, school zones had been established and driver feedback signs posted at several locations across the island.

“We have also established one-way systems to enhance the flow of traffic and, more recently, a tidal flow system in Spanish Town,” the State Minister said.

“I commend the efforts of the traffic police in Spanish Town, headed by Inspector Patrick Murdock, for their continued vigilance in ensuring that the system works during the morning and afternoon peak hours,” he added.
Dr. Ferguson pointed out that motorists could now traverse the Spanish Town bypass in 10 minutes as against the 30 to 45 minutes “torture” that obtained prior to the implementation of the new system.