Holness blames PNP for bad roads

Leader of the governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), Prime Minister Andrew Holness, has placed the blame about the country's crumbling roads squarely at the feet of the People's National Party (PNP).

In a no-holds-barred address at a Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) workers' meeting in Eastern Hanover yesterday, Holness urged party faithfuls to "vote for the government that can fix your road".

Holness accused the rival party of strangling the economy and neglecting infrastructure during its time in power.

"Because the PNP destroyed the economy in the 70s, there was no maintenance of the roads," Holness declared.

"They go back again, 18 1/2 years in the 90s and the 2000s, mash up the economy, ... no maintenance of the roads," he added.

The JLP, which has been in power since 2016, is seeking a third term in office. The party has been in charge of Jamaica's affairs for 14 of the past 18 years. Holness conceded that the state of the nation's roads is a major concern among Jamaicans, but was quick to point out that it is not a new discovery.

"Nobody has walked off as many Clarks shoes as I have," Holness said, adding that he has shaken the most hands of people on the island and is aware of their concerns.

"The road infrastructure in Jamaica is not in the state that we would want," he admitted.

The prime minister promised that the newly rolled out Shared Prosperity through Accelerated Improvement to our Road Network (SPARK) programme will go a far way in addressing the concerns. He said that while work has commenced, there is more to be done.

Sharing a story of a disgruntled woman in St James East Central who vowed to stay home on Election Day, Holness said abstaining will not get the roads fixed.

"It is better to vote for your road than not to vote," Holness said.

"If you want yuh road fix, vote for it to be fixed. And if you have to vote, vote for the political organisation that has shown the wherewithal ... You must vote for your road, vote for the government that can fix your road." he said.