Gareth Manning, Gleaner Writer
KINGSTON MAYOR Desmond McKenzie lashed out yesterday after news of Government's plans to allocate $27 million for road repair in the Corporate Area.
In a prepared text distributed to journalists during a Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) meeting yesterday, Mayor McKenzie said the funds allocated were scarcely enough to cover expenses for roads damaged by hurricanes and floods last season.
In October, the mayor said damage to 500 roads in the Corporate Area was estimated at $900 million.
DISRESPECT
Said he yesterday: "For Govern-ment to inform us that $300 million has been allocated to the parish councils for these repairs, and of that amount only $27 million dollars will be allocated to the KSAC, is evidence of its disrespect not only for members of the council, but also for the people of the Corporate Area who elected us and expect us to carry out their mandate."
Jamaica Labour Party councillors have since drafted a letter to be sent to the Minister of Local Government, Portia Simpson Miller, airing their concerns about the monies allocated to the separate divisions.
But in a statement yesterday, the Local Government Minister said, "In keeping with transparency and accountability, the allocation of the $300 million will be done upon the submission of a 'prioritised programme of works' by each local authority.
The ministry statement notes that the prioritising of road works by each council was "based on the guidelines received for defining emergency works as per the National Contracts Committee and approved by Cabinet."
The ministry outlined the following steps for disbursing funds to local authorities.
Council to prioritise work to be done, based on budget available through March 31, 2006.
Superintendent (roads and works) department of each local authority will then prepare scope of work, inclusive of bills of quantity.
The bill of quantity will then be incorporated into contract documents and the work tendered in accordance with Government of Jamaica Procurement Guidelines.
Contract is then awarded and work starts seven days after award.
Local authorities are then responsible for supervising the works of the contractors, and certifying for payment and work done by the contractors.
This payment certificate is then submitted to the ministry for either
a) Payment; or
b) Cheque sent to local authority.
